Photocatalytic activity and NIR laser response of polyaniline conjugated graphene nanocomposite prepared by a novel acid-less method.

Herein, we present a novel acid-less synthetic approach for in-situ polymerization of aniline synchronized with reduction of graphene oxide to graphene. This method provides uniform deposition of ordered polyaniline nanotubes over the surface of graphene nanosheets. The synthesized graphene-polyaniline nanocomposite has the ability of complete removal of harmful dyes commonly used in industry: such as methyl orange, methylene blue, and rhoadmine B from the waste water under the exposure to natural sunlight. The system can be used as an efficient solar energy operated photocatalyst due to effective suppression of recombination of the charge carriers. The unique spatial structure of the graphene-polyaniline nanocomposite has high chemical stability, can be recycled after photolysis, and allows using in multiple cycles without reduction in its photocatalytic activity. In addition, the graphene-polyaniline nanocomposite exhibits strong near-infrared (NIR) absorption, good photothermal stability, as well as shows substantial thermal energy generation under exposure to 808 or 980 nm NIR lasers. The electrical conductivity of polyaniline nanotubes is improved as a result of their conjugation with graphene nanosheets in the nanocomposite. Owing to its outstanding photocatalytic activity and chemical stability, the reported graphene-polyaniline nanocomposite has a great potential in purification of industrially generated waste water.