Characterization of polyaniline nanotubes formed in the presence of amino acids

Self-assembled nanotubular structures of polyaniline were chemically synthesized from solutions containing different amino acids with the addition of ammonium persulfate as the oxidant. The materials were characterized by SEM and a range of spectroscopic methods. Spectroscopic characterizations revealed that the synthesized materials had many features typical of chemically synthesized PANI. Some additional features were also found and have been ascribed to non-conducting material formed in the initial stages of the reaction at a higher solution pH. However, UV-vis and C-13 NMR spectra point toward a conductive material as the final product of the reaction. Cyclic voltammetry results also indicate an electroactive final product that closely resembles regular PANI in its electrochemical characteristics.