Development of Polyaniline-Coated Natural Fiber Composites for Enhanced Thermal Properties

The increasing demand for high-performance materials has led to the development of natural fiber composites as an alternative to synthetic fiber composites. However, the low thermal conductivity of natural fibers limits their use in advanced applications. In this study, we have developed polyaniline-coated natural fiber composites to enhance their thermal properties. The methodology of this study involves the preparation of natural fiber composites using polyaniline-coated natural fibers as a reinforcement and a bio-based resin as a matrix. The composites were then coated with polyaniline, which was synthesized through chemical oxidation of aniline monomer. The coated composites were characterized using various analytical techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis to evaluate their structural, morphological, and thermal properties. The materials used in this study were natural fibers, bio-based resin, aniline monomer, ammonium persulfate, and hydrochloric acid. The gap identification of this study is the low thermal conductivity of natural fiber composites, which limits their application in advanced fields such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics. The problem identification is the lack of a cost-effective and eco-friendly method to enhance the thermal properties of natural fiber composites. The results of this study showed that the polyaniline-coated natural fiber composites exhibited enhanced thermal conductivity compared to the uncoated composites. The improvement in the properties of the composites was attributed to the high conductivity of polyaniline and its ability to form a continuous conductive network throughout the composite matrix. The development of polyaniline-coated natural fiber composites provides a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach to enhance the thermal properties of natural fiber composites. This approach has the potential to expand the use of natural fiber composites in advanced applications, leading to a sustainable and greener future.