Preparation and application of polyaniline nanofibers: an overview

Abstract Polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers have enhanced water processibility and improved sensitivity and response time when exposed to chemical vapors, and unique advantages in other fields including electric devices and corrosion inhibition. Therefore, PANI nanofibers have attracted great interest and have potential for many commercial applications. In this paper, the advantages, formation mechanism, characteristics and factors influencing various methods for preparing PANI nanofibers are described in detail. Their conductive properties and mechanism are briefly introduced. Finally, the potential applications of PANI nanofibers are elaborated in many fields such as gas sensors, capacitors, electrode materials for cells, removal of contaminants from water, corrosion inhibition, enzyme immobilization, Schottky diodes, and so on. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry