title: Multilayer self-assembly of TiO₂ nanoparticles and polyaniline-grafted-chitosan copolymer (CPANI) for photocatalysis.
abstract: A photocatalytic thin film of TiO₂ nanoparticles and polyaniline-grafted-chitosan (CPANI) was fabricated by layer-by-layer (LbL) approach. The growth of the self-assembly of polymer nanocomposite was monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy and the thin film morphology was analyzed from scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) was used as a bridging layer between TiO₂ nanoparticles and CPANI. Incorporation of CPANI within the LbL self-assembly of polymer nanocomposites enhanced the dye degradation ability of the thin film. These results indicate that the presence of CPANI improves the adsorption of dye in the self-assembly. The effect of surface area and the amount of catalyst was also examined. The reusability of the thin films for dye degradation study ensures the stability of the self-assembly.
authors.affiliation: Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Institute of Science, Bangalore, India, 560012.
authors.forename: Debajyoti
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mahanta
authors.forename: Uttam
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Manna
authors.forename: Giridhar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Madras
authors.forename: Satish
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patil