Polyaniline–rhodium composites: Preparation,physicochemical characterization,and catalytic properties

In this work, polyaniline (PANI)–rhodium composites have been obtained for the first time. Their preparation procedure has involved reduction of Rh³⁺ ions in RhCl₃ aqueous solutions with NaBH₄ in the presence of PANI. Using UV–vis spectroscopy, it has been found that the reduction process is fast. X‐ray diffraction and Rh3d XPS studies have confirmed that metallic rhodium is incorporated into PANI matrix. SEM and TEM investigations allowed to establish that the sizes of Rh crystallites formed depend on the amount of metal in the composite as well as on the preparation conditions. It has been demonstrated that the composites containing Rh nanoparticles whose size is predominantly below 10 nm can be obtained. IR spectroscopy has proved that PANI chain is protonated in the Rh³⁺ reduction process. Catalytic properties of PANI–Rh composites have been investigated using isopropyl alcohol conversion as the test reaction. It has been found that the composites containing Rh nanoparticles show high redox activity. Catalytic activity of the composites in which larger, agglomerated metal particles have been present is about three times lower. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008