Synthesis and characterization of poly(p-phenylenediamine): TiO₂ nanocomposites and investigation of conducting properties for optoelectronic application

Poly(p-phenylenediamine) is a potential precursor for designing of new materials for optoelectronic application. Synthesis and characterization of poly(p-phenylenediamine) – TiO₂ nanocomposites has been demonstrated. Structural change observed due to the formation of nanocomposites was correlated with concomitant change in conducting behavior of the parent polymer. Polymer nanocomposite was synthesized through an in-situ oxidative polymerization technique with simultaneous dispersion of TiO₂ nanoparticles. TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized via sol-gel process. Structural characterization was accomplished by using conventional spectroscopic and imaging techniques. I-V measurement of the nanocomposites revealed that the nearly nonconducting poly(p-phenylenediamine) after structural modification exhibits conductivity of 10⁻⁶ S/cm leading to formation of wide band gap semiconducting materials.