Polyaniline–TiO2 hybrid‐coated cotton fabric for durable electrical conductivity

A polyaniline–TiO₂ hybrid was coated on cotton fabric to make it electrically conductive. A One‐pot method of synthesis with acetic acid medium was used, in which TiCl₄ was used as precursor. The oxidative polymerization of aniline adsorbed on TiO₂ (anatase form) was performed in the presence of cotton fabric. Fabric crystallinity was least affected by the coatings, as confirmed by XRD analysis. FTIR studies revealed interactions between fiber and hybrid. The morphological study through SEM showed the uniform coating of hybrid over the fibers of the cotton fabric and AFM analysis revealed the rod‐like structure of the hybrid. The strength of the coated fabrics was assessed using abrasion tests. The electrical conductivity was determined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).The conductivity value varied with respect toTiO₂ content and ranged in the order 10^?4 to 10²S/cm. The effect of atmospheric aging was assessed. A more durable conductivity was observed in hybrid‐coated fabric than pristine polyaniline‐coated fabric. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013