Abstract
Conventional polyaniline (PANI) was mixed as a binder polymer matrix with carbonous materials. Hydrothermal technique was utilized to fabricate a nanocomposite of graphene (G)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The morphological features and quality of the synthesized PANI, G/CNTs, and their mixtures were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirm the formation of wide area graphene sheets with folds around the edges. In addition, the hydrothermally fabricated G/CNTs exhibited a uniform distribution with partial agglomeration. However, adding their mixture to PANI generated a mesh like porous morphology which demonstrates an enhancement in surface area and providing 3D conduction network. Moreover, Raman spectra confirm the quality of the synthesized samples. The generated disorder and defects within the structure, and the ratio of quinoid ring (Q) to benzenoid (B) ring in the fabricated samples were depicted. In addition, the enhancement in thermal parameters and reversing the thermo-electric carrier type into N-type after doping were attributed to the generated facile conduction paths of G/CNTs.