Local Electrical Properties of Polyaniline-ZnO Nanocomposite Langmuir-Blodgett Thin Films Investigated Using Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy
Bhullar, Gurpreet Kaur1 and Kaur, Ramneek2
1&2P.G. Department of Physics, Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab
Abstract
The localized electrical properties of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) thin films of polyaniline (PANi) dispersed with Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were investigated using Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy (CAFM). The nanoscale electrical conductivity of PANi-ZnO nanocomposites was analyzed by mapping current distribution and evaluating single-point current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. The CAFM results indicate a uniform charge transport network, reduced defect density, and enhanced conductivity in ZnO-incorporated films. The CAFM current mapping revealed a uniform distribution of conductive domains across the film surfaces, showing homogeneity of nanocomposite thin films. These insights contribute to the understanding of the electrical behavior of PANi-based nanocomposites, which holds promising potential for applications in electronic devices.
Keywords: Conductive AFM, Polyaniline-ZnO, Nanocomposite, Langmuir-Blodgett Film, Nanoscale Conductivity
Impact Statement
“Local Electrical Properties of Polyaniline-ZnO Nanocomposite Langmuir-Blodgett Thin Films Investigated Using Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy”
This study provides a significant contribution to the field of nanomaterials and thin film electronics by presenting a detailed nanoscale investigation of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) polyaniline-ZnO nanocomposite thin films using Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy (CAFM). The findings reveal enhanced charge transport, reduced defect density, and uniform current distribution, demonstrating how the integration of ZnO nanoparticles into PANi matrices can optimize electrical properties at the nanoscale. These insights bridge a critical gap between nanoscale structural analysis and macroscopic electronic performance, supporting the advancement of PANi-based nanocomposites for next-generation applications in flexible electronics, sensors, and nanoelectronic devices. The methodology and results pave the way for precise engineering of hybrid thin films with tailored conductivity, offering a foundational approach for future device integration in emerging technologies.
About The Author
Dr. Gurpreet Kaur Bhullar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. She earned her Ph.D. in Physics from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala. Her research primarily focuses on condensed matter physics, nanotechnology, and the fabrication and characterization of Langmuir–Blodgett thin films. Dr. Bhullar has published more than 20 research articles and contributed book chapters and conference papers, making significant contributions to the field of polymer metal oxide nanocomposites and liquid craystals. She has hands-on experience with various research instruments, including Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometers (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM), and UV-Visible Spectrophotometers, among others. Additionally, Dr. Bhullar is a member of the Materials Research Society, USA. Her academic journey includes serving as a Junior and Senior Research Fellow at Thapar University, Patiala. She has received awards, including the MRSI Prize and the Diwan Jawaharlal Nayer Memorial Prize, for her presentations. Dr. Bhullar also received travel grants from DST and CICS.
Dr. Ramneek Kaur holds an M.Sc. in Physics and a Ph.D. in Nanotechnology, and currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib. Her research lies at the intersection of advanced nanomaterials and thin-film technology, with a particular focus on Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films, ferroelectric liquid crystals, and nanocomposites. She has made significant contributions to the development of hybrid nanostructures using carbon nanotubes, polyaniline–TiO₂ systems, and other polymeric matrices to enhance material properties for electronic and optoelectronic applications.
Dr. Kaur’s work emphasizes both fundamental material science and applied nanotechnology, using characterization techniques like Atomic Force Microscopy and spectroscopy to explore structure-property relationships. Her research is published in reputed journals such as Liquid Crystals and Journal of Applied Polymer Science, with over 100 citations reflecting her growing influence in the field. She continues to explore novel nanomaterial platforms with potential real-world applications in sensors, energy storage, and flexible electronics.
References
Bhullar, G. K., Kaur, R., & Raina, K. K. (2013, June). Investigations on polyaniline–TiO2 nanocomposite Langmuir Blodgett thin films. In AIP Conference Proceedings (Vol. 1536, No. 1, pp. 491-492). American Institute of Physics.
Bhullar, G. K., Kaur, R., & Raina, K. K. (2014). Electrical characterization of polyaniline-ZnO nanocomposite langmuir-blodgett thin film by conductive atomic force microscopy. In MRS Spring Meeting Proceedings p. 1668, mrss14-1668. Cambridge University Press.
Bhullar, G. K., Kaur, R., & Raina, K. K. (2015a). Hybrid polyaniline–TiO2 nanocomposite langmuir–blodgett thin films: Self-assembly and their characterization. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 132(5), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.41386
Bhullar, G. K., Kaur, R., & Raina, K. K. (2015b). Growth, morphology and electrical characterization of polyaniline-ZnO nanocomposite langmuir blodgett thin films. Journal of Electronic Materials, 44(10), 3422–3429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-015-3868-4
Kaur, R., Bhullar, G. K., & Raina, K. K. (2016). Effects of silver nanoparticles doping on morphology and luminescence behaviour of ferroelectric liquid crystals Langmuir–Blodgett films. Liquid Crystals, 43(12), 1760–1767. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678292.2016.1200678
Kaur, R., Kaur, N., & Bhullar, G. K. (2024). Advances in fabrication techniques for hybrid nanomaterials. In V. Khanna, P. Sharma, & P. Mahajan (Eds.), Innovations and applications of hybrid nanomaterials (pp. 16–38). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-3268-9.ch002