Preparation and characterization of polymer -copper composites by electrical explosion of wire

In this work, polyaniline - copper (PANI-Cu) and polyaniline/polyacrylic acid - copper (PANI/PAA-Cu) composites were synthesized by electrical explosion of wire (EEW) in the liquid. The PANI and PAA polymers in ethanol were stirred for 24 hrs. and sonicated for 2 hrs. The polymer solutions used as a liquid for explosion process to fabricate the Cu nanoparticle. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results of the composites showed that the Cu was polycrystal. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) was used to observe the microstructure of the composites. The PANI particles were in round shape and covered on the as-prepared Cu nanoparticles. The Cu nanoparticles were spherical and dispersed well in the polymer matrix. Crystalline size of the Cu nanoparticles was about 25nm. The obtained composites were extensively characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and electrical measurements.