Structural and thermal characterization of poly(2‐chloroaniline)/red mud nanocomposite materials

Abstract We report the synthesis and characterization of a series of conducting poly(2‐chloroaniline) (P2ClAn)/red mud (RM) nanocomposite materials. The polymerization of 2‐chloroaniline in an aqueous medium in the presence of (NH4)2S2O8 and RM resulted in the formation of a nanocomposite (P2ClAn/RM). The extent of P2ClAn loading in the composites increased with increasing oxidant and monomer concentrations but decreased with RM. The properties of the nanocomposites were characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis), conductivity measurements, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The inclusion of P2ClAn in the composites was confirmed by FTIR studies. The UV–vis spectra of P2ClAn/RM nanocomposites were similar to that of P2ClAn. The conductivity changed in all the composites prepared under various conditions. Thermogravimetric analyses revealed the enhanced thermal stabilities of the nanocomposites with respect to P2ClAn. Morphological images of the as‐synthesized materials were also investigated with scanning electron microscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006