Investigation of CeVO4 content on the structural and thermal properties of PANI/CeVO4 nanocomposites

Abstract

This study presents the synthesis of cerium vanadate (CeVO₄) nanoparticle by microwave-assisted method and the formation of polyaniline/CeVO₄ (PANI/ CeVO₄) nanocomposites via in-situ polymerization with CeVO₄ contents of 1 wt. %, 3 wt. %, and 5 wt. %. The characterization was done through X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TGA). XRD confirmed the CeVO₄ nanoparticles are in crystalline phase and the structural integrity of the composites. FTIR analysis showed successful incorporation of CeVO₄ into the PANI matrix by revealing characteristic peaks for both materials. SEM images demonstrated uniform distribution of CeVO₄ within PANI. UV–Vis spectroscopy indicated that CeVO₄ nanoparticles affects the optical properties of PANI, which is important for electronic and optoelectronic applications. Tg–DTA confirmed CeVO₄ has high thermal stability. The 3 wt. % CeVO₄ nanocomposites demonstrated superior thermal stability and interaction with PANI compared to the 1 wt. % and 5 wt. % samples. This makes the 3 wt. % CeVO₄ nanocomposites especially promising for electronic, optoelectronic, and electrochemical applications due to their enhanced properties and stability.

Graphical Abstract