Evaluation of the Morphological, Electrical and Antibacterial Properties of Polyaniline Nanocomposite Based on Zn/Al-Layered Double Hydroxides

In this work, polyaniline (PAn) based on Zinc aluminum layered double hydroxides (3:1; Zn/Al-LDHs) nanocomposites; containing various concentrations of LDHs were successfully prepared via free emulsion polymerization using ammonium peroxydisulfate (APS) as an oxidizing agent. The morphology of the synthesized LDHs and its nanocomposites were investigated using transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD). TEM and SEM results showed that LDHs nanoparticles were obviously located in the polymer, with good dispersion. While the XRD results were demonstrated intercalated or exfoliated nanocomposites morphologies depending on the modification of the LDHs. The surface area of the fashioned nanocomposites was investigated. It was found that the surface area for PAn/LDHs, PAn/LDH-DS and LDH-DBS nanocomposites increased to 34.26 m² g⁻¹, 36.83 m² g⁻¹and 36.62 m² g⁻¹, respectively, while neat polyaniline was (23.84 m² g⁻¹). Moreover, the electrical conductivity for the investigated nanocomposites was enhanced with increasing the ratio of LDHs in the prepared nanocomposite. The fashioned nanocomposites exhibited good antibacterial activity against G^+ve, G^−ve bacteria and fungi. Therefore, it could be a promising candidate in various electrical and biological applications.