Fourier Transforms Infrared Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction Investigation of Recycled Polypropylene/Polyaniline Blends

Abstract

The main objective in this paper is to characterise rPP/PANI blends chemical composition, structure and crystalline phases. This study investigates the synthesis and characterisation of recycled polypropylene/polyaniline (rPP/PANI) blends, prepared by single screw extrusion. Blends with 0 to 10 wt% PANI loading were prepared. The rPP/PANI blends were characterised by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The FTIR spectra show the PANI nanofiber in emeraldine salt form and show the grafting and strong interaction between PANI and rPP in the blends. The FTIR results for pure PANI and the blends with varying contents of PANI are consistently related to the structure of the pure PANI and blends discussed in the XRD analysis. XRD results confirmed the formation of PANI nanofiber in the blends and the presence of PANI nanofiber changes in crystallinity of rPP matrix.