A potentiostatic approach of growing polyaniline nanofibers in fractal morphology by interfacial electropolymerization

Abstract

Liquid–liquid interfacial method has been used to grow polyaniline (PANI) fractal morphologies over platinum foil using potentiostatic electrochemical polymerization method through diffusion of monomers from the organic phase at an organic/aqueous interface. The difference in polarity of an organic solvent can induce fractal dimensions with minute differences. A diffusion limited aggregation process has been utilized to grow these fractal morphologies. Electrochemical synthesis of template-free PANI fractals initially proceeds through the formation of nucleation centers, which spread as fractals by diffusion of the monomer through the liquid–liquid interface. The concentrations of monomer and the electrochemical potential are found to be crucial factors in controlling the growth of such PANI fractals at inert electrodes. The fractal dimensions were observed at a low concentration of monomers and at lower electrochemical potentials.