A kinetic study on the formation of poly(4 aminodiphenylamine)/copper nanocomposite using UV-visible spectroscopy

The course of the reaction between copper sulfate (CuSO₄) and 4-aminodiphenylamine (4ADPA) was monitored by UV-visible spectroscopy in p-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TSA). Formation of poly(4-aminodiphenylamine)/copper nanoparticle composite (P4ADPA/CuNC) was witnessed through the steady increase in absorbance at 410, 580 and >700 nm. The absorbance at 410 nm as well as >700 nm are correlated to the amount of P4ADPA/CuNC formation and was subsequently used to determine the rate of formation of P4ADPA/CuNC (R_P4ADPA/CuNC) at any time during the course of the reaction. R_P4ADPA/CuNC shows a first-order dependence on [4ADPA] and a half-order dependence on [CuSO₄]. A kinetic rate expression was established between RP4ADPA/CuNC and experimental parameters such as [4ADPA] and [CuSO₄]. The rate constant for the formation of P4ADPA/CuNC was 8.98 × 10^-3 mol^-0.5 l^0.5 s^-1. Field emission scanning electron and transmission electron micrographs revealed that the morphology of the P4ADPA/CuNC was influenced by the reaction conditions.