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The role of polyaniline in the formation of iron-containing nanocomposites

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Abstract

Polyaniline (PANI)-coated iron-based nanocomposites with a range of magnetisation and coercivity values were produced by in situ polymerisation of aniline and chemical reduction of Fe3+ by BH4 −. We have varied the ratio of aniline to iron, keeping the amount of BH4 − added constant, and vice versa. Room-temperature magnetisation loops, X-ray diffraction patterns, Mössbauer spectra and transmission electron microscopy images show that PANI plays two distinct roles: on the one hand, it coats the iron particle surface, preventing oxidation of the Fe cores and, on the other, it enhances the formation of an Fe100−x B x alloy. The incorporation of boron in the alloy is facilitated by the polymer entrapment of small Fe nuclei. The mean particle size determined for composites obtained with low PANI content is (50 ± 20) nm, while for PANI-rich composites (30 ± 10) nm particles are formed.

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Acknowledgments

This work was enabled by the CRANN Advanced Microscopy Laboratory [AML], Trinity College Dublin, and supported by Science Foundation Ireland as part of the NISE 10/IN1.I3006 and RFP/PHY2372 projects. L.M.A. Monzon wants to thank Sarah McCarthy for helpful discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Department, Trinity College Dublin, SNIAMS Building, Dublin, Ireland

    Lorena M. A. Monzon, Karl Ackland, Saba Mosivand, M. Venkatesan & J. M. D. Coey

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  1. Lorena M. A. Monzon
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  2. Karl Ackland
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  3. Saba Mosivand
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  4. M. Venkatesan
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  5. J. M. D. Coey
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Correspondence to Lorena M. A. Monzon.

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Monzon, L.M.A., Ackland, K., Mosivand, S. et al. The role of polyaniline in the formation of iron-containing nanocomposites. J Nanopart Res 15, 1533 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-013-1533-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-013-1533-5

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