Abstract
γ-Zirconium phosphate-Fibrous Cerium phosphate nanocomposite membranes [γZr.PO4.H2PO4.]0.34 [Ce(HPO4)2]0.66.4.4H2O and [γ-Zr.PO4.H2PO4]0.27[Ce(HPO4)2]0.733.47H2O (γ-ZrP0.27-CePf0.37), were prepared by mixing slurry aqueous solutions of γ-Zr.PO4.H2PO4.2H2O and nanofibrous Ce(HPO4)2.2.9H2O(nCePf) from wt/wt% required ratios, respectively, were characterized. γ-zirconium phosphate-fibrous ceriumphosphate(γ-ZrPX-CePf1-x)/emeraldine salt nanocomposite membranes were prepared via in-situ chemical oxidation of the monomers, aniline and aniline HCl, that was promoted by the reduction of Ce(iv) ions present in the inorganic matrix(where x=0.34, 0.27)respectively. The resultant materials were characterized by TGA, elemental (C,H,N) analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). Images SEM of the resulting nanocomposite reveal a uniform distribution of the polymer on the inorganic matrix, has needle like structure. The presence of Ce(iv) ions allows redox reactions necessary to oxidative polymerization to occur. The fibrous morphology present by this material makes molding possible, giving desired shape to the final emeraldine salt nanocomposite membranes. The self-supported sheet integrity is preserved. This result is interesting because the shape integrity makes the building of molded conducting device possible.