One-Step Synthesis of Superparamagnetic Fe3O4@PANI Nanocomposites

Monodisperse Fe3O4@PANI(Polyaniline) nanocomposites were successfully synthesized at ambient temperature via reverse microemulsion technique with the objective to gain control over the size and morphology of these nanocomposites. The present synthetic approach uses inexpansive FeCl3 as a single iron source to prepare Fe3O4@PANI nanocomposites by the reverse microemulsion method. The obtained samples were characterized in detail by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. FTIR and X-ray diffractogram confirm the encapsulation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles by PANI. Highly monodisperse spherical Fe3O4@PANI nanocomposites with an average diameter of 60 nm have been produced. The-synthesized nanocomposites exhibit superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature under applied field. Also a novel mechanism employing FeCl3 as a single iron source polymerizing aniline and simultaneously forming Fe3O4 is discussed.