Abstract
Background: Individually, metal nanoparticles (NPs) and conducting polymers show unique properties due to small size, large surface area, and high order of conductivity. But their combination may result in a synergistic effect in properties.
Methods: The NiO NPs and conducting polymer Polyaniline were prepared by modified Sol-gel and chemical oxidative methods, respectively. Powder XRD, FTIR, TEM, and UV-visible methods were used for the structural evaluation. The computational (DFT) study was performed to support experimental results. The NiO/Polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites (NCs) were explored as corrosion inhibitors, electrical conductors, and photocatalytic agents.
Results: The NiO/Polyaniline NCs showed 91.52% corrosion inhibition efficiency at 1000 ppm concentration. The photocatalytic activity was investigated against methylene blue dye under ultraviolet light. The NiO/Polyaniline NCs decompose 90% of organic dye. The NCs exhibit good conducting, corrosion inhibition, and photocatalytic activity.
Conclusion: The metal oxide (NiO NPs) and PANI-based NCs can be used as corrosion inhibitors, conducting material, and for the degradation of organic compounds (dyes) in impure water.
