Abstract
Polyaniline (PANI) and molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) were used to prepare nanocomposites by in-situ oxidative polymerization of acidified aniline in presence of dispersed MoS2 in the reaction mixture. Electron Microscopy (SEM & TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize these nanocomposites. SEM micrographs showed that PANI is present on the layers of MoS2 which were exfoliated during the preparation and the presence of MoS2 is also confirmed by XRD peaks. The nanocomposites were studied for their electrical conductivity and stability of electrical conductivity in terms of d.c. electrical conductivity retention. Further, the nanocomposites were also studied for their sensing behaviour towards alcohol, ketone, aldehyde in ambient condition. These nanocomposites were found to be semiconducting, stable upto 100 degrees C and exhibited good sensitivity towards above mentioned group of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).