Structural and functional comparison of in situ vs. ex situ synthesized poly(2-Anisidine)/TiC nanocomposites

Abstract The incorporation of conducting polymers with nanostructure materials offers a promising route to multifunctional materials with improved electrochemical and thermal properties. In this study, poly(2-anisidine) (P(2-ANIS)), a methoxy-subst ituted derivative of polyaniline, was synthesized via oxidative polymerization and combined with titanium carbide(TiC) nanoparticles to form hybrid nanocomposites. Two methods were used : in situ polymerization, where TiC was present during polymer preparation, and ex situ method, where TiC was introduced after polymer obtained. Comprehensive characterization including XRD, FTIR, TEM, TGA, UV–Vis, cyclic voltammetry, and electrical con ductivity measurements was carried out to evaluate the effect of each method on the structural, thermal, and electronic properties of the composites. Results display that the in-situ method yields high particle dispersion, stronger interfacial interaction, enhanced electrochemical redox activity, and higher thermal stability compared to the ex-situ polymerization. However, the incorporation of TiC nanoparticles into the P(2-ANIS) matrix resulted in an increase in the optical band gap and a moderate decrease in electrical conductivity compared to the pure P(2-ANIS). These results demonstrate the influence of the synthesis method on the structural properties of P(2-ANIS)@TiC nanocomposites and provide valuable insight into tailoring polymer nanoparticle interfaces for advanced functional applications.