Hybrid materials based on Fe2O3/metal-oxide reinforced polyaniline: Synthesis, characterization and their electrochemical properties

Polyaniline (PANI)-Fe2O3/CuO and PANI -Fe2O3/ZnO hybrid materials were developed and prepared by in situ polymerization at 0°C using ammonium persulfate as oxidant. The resulting products are investigated for their structural properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the results confirm the formation of the hybrid architecture. In addition, the electrochemical properties of the hybrid products are investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and optical properties were determined using UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectrophotometer (UV-Vis DRS). Compared to PANI/ZnO or CuO, Fe2O3/CuO or ZnO exhibit significantly improved properties. Based on the obtained results, the products thus open the way for a variety of electrical and sensors applications.