“SmFeO3-Polyanaline Composite: Synthesis and Its Various Characterizations”

Polyaniline-SmFeO3 composite are prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization method. Structural, vibrational, morphological, thermal, optical, magnetic and dielectric properties of the samples are explored by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis, UV–Vis, Vibrating Sample Magnetometer, and dielectric measurements. Crystalline nature of the composite has been obtained due to the presence of SmFeO3 particles in polyaniline and retains orthorhombic structure with Pbnm space group. A noticeable impact on various parameters (grain size, stress and dislocation density) can be observed. FTIR analysis confirms the formation of polyaniline. The obtained vibrational bands of polyaniline structure changes due to the presence of SmFeO3 particles. Surface/particle morphology of the composite has been observed from SEM micrographs. The thermal stability of polyaniline is considerably enhanced in composite format. From the evaluation of optical absorption data, a reduction in optical band gap (Eg) is observed. The real and imaginary part of dielectric constant was found to follow the universal dielectric response. From the ac conductivity investigations, charge carriers follow the correlated barrier hopping transport mechanism.