Feasibility of hybrid polyaniline/pullulan composites for photocatalytic and electrochemical applications

Energy and water are essential resources currently facing high demand due to the depletion of fossil fuels and increasing water pollution. Conducting polymers like polyaniline (PANI) have gained attention for addressing these challenges. In this study, polyaniline/pullulan composites (PANI/Pul Cps) are synthesized via oxidative polymerization. The influence of the aniline-to-pullulan mass ratio on the composite properties is evaluated using various techniques. XRD analysis showed enhanced crystallinity with the addition of pullulan, while TEM results revealed that the composites exhibited a rod-like shape, with dimensions of 51–55 nm in width and 131–152 nm in length. The photocatalytic potential of the composites is assessed by testing their ability to degrade Crystal Violet dye, with the highest degradation rate observed at 0.0086 min−1. The electrochemical performance of the PANI/Pul Cps is also evaluated, with specific capacitance values ranging from 92 to 123 F/g. These results suggest that PANI/Pul Cps have potential for both wastewater treatment and energy storage applications.