Synthesis and thermoelectric properties of polyaniline zinc oxide composites: A study on temperature-dependent conductivity and seebeck coefficient
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Polyaniline zinc oxide (PANI-ZnO) composites were synthesized via a chemical route, varying zinc oxide content from 20 wt.% to 25 wt.%. The structural integrity of the PANI-ZnO composites was confirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Two-probe measurements were conducted to evaluate DC conductivity as a function of temperature in the range ( 303 K t o 423 K ). At 0 wt.%, the conductivity ranged from 4.88 × 10 −5 S / c m at 303 K to 1.43 × 10 −4 S / c m at 423 K . For the 20 wt.% composite, the values were 2.3 × 10 −6 S / c m at 303 K and 2.5 × 10 −4 S / c m at 423 K . Notably, the 25 wt.% composite exhibited enhanced conductivity, reaching 6.12 × 10 −4 S / c m at 423 K and 1.0 × 10 −7 S / c m at 303 K . The observed semi-conducting behaviour, with conductivity increasing with temperature, highlights the potential of these materials for thermoelectric applications. Additionally, the Seebeck Coefficient of all samples linearly raises with increasing temperature and concentration of Zinc oxide, and reaching the maximum 50 μ V / K from 30 μ V / K at 373 K , which suggests that the synthesized materials may be good candidates for thermoelectric devices. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a dual-phase morphology with platelet and flaky structures interlocked by granular particles, emphasizing the structural robustness of the composites.
Source: Polymers and Polymer Composites
Authors: Muhammad Qasim, Abdul Shakoor, Muhammad Waheed Rasheed
Institutions: Bahauddin Zakariya University, COMSATS University Islamabad
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,000
OpenAlex ID: W4410766924