ABSTRACT
The polyaniline-wrapped zinc oxide (ZnO) possesses an interface between organic semiconductor (polyaniline) and inorganic semiconductor (ZnO). This chapter analyses the properties and photocatalytic activity of hybrid nanocomposites through polyaniline-assisted modification of ZnO nanotubes. Addition of polyaniline during the formation of zinc oxide nanotubes resulted in a dark blue product, labelled as surface oxygen deficient ZnO. Another nanocomposite with dark green colour is synthesised by adding the zinc oxide during the formation of polyaniline. Formation of interface between ZnO and polyaniline and the wide spectral absorption of formed nanocomposites point out the possibility for efficient photocatalytic activity. The nanocomposite synthesised with higher content of ZnO gives better degradation of methylene blue dye. Simple and versatile synthesis strategy was adopted to obtain highly crystalline polyaniline which can also be envisaged for various other applications in the near future.
