Semiconducting nanocomposite based on the incorporation of polyaniline on the cellulose extracted from Bambusa vulgaris: structural, thermal and electrical properties

Polyaniline Emeraldine-salt (PANI-ES)/Cellulose nanocomposite was synthesized based on the in situ polymerization of aniline over cellulose extracted from Bambusa vulgaris. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis suggested that the extraction process produced smaller and better oriented cellulose nanocrystals when compared to the bamboo in-natura cellulose. PANI-ES influenced on the orientation of the cellulose crystals in the nanocomposite form, increasing the intensity of the planes (0 0 2) and (1 −2 1), besides contributing with more than 60% of the X-ray scattering. Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that characteristic bands of cellulose in the nanocomposite, such as that at 1164 cm−1, presented a red shift about 14 cm−1, probably due to a chemical interaction between matrix and reinforcement. Thermogravimetry/derivative Thermogravimetry (TG/dTG) analysis showed that the nanocomposite degradation in 157 °C was the lowest among the bamboo in-natura and extracted cellulose, and it was attributed to the presence of $${Cl}^{-}$$ counterions in the PANI-ES chains. The dc electrical conductivity values ​​(σdc) were 8.53 × 10−3 S/cm, 1.05 × 10−4 S/cm and 2.10 × 10−9 S/cm for PANI-ES, PANI-ES/Cellulose and extracted cellulose, respectively. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the formation of a polymer film all over the surface of cellulose fibers.