Microwave absorption property of polyaniline nanocomposites containing TiO2 and Fe3O4 nanoparticles after FeCl36H2O treatment

Abstract

AbstractIt is important to manipulate the synthesis parameters or additives used in order to produce conducting polymer such as polyaniline (PAni) with moderate conductivity, magnetic and dielectric properties that could enhance its microwave absorbing and shielding properties. In this communication, novel PAni/HA/TiO2/Fe3O4 nanomaterials with different Fe3O4 contents were prepared by template‐free method by using TiO2 and Fe3O4 nanoparticles as dielectric filler and magnetic filler, respectively. Before addition of ammonium peroxydisulfate (APS) for polymerization, Fe3O4 aqueous solution was treated with FeCl36H2O in order to disperse well the Fe3O4 in the mixture. The result shows that better dispersion of Fe3O4 in the mixture by FeCl36H2O treatment could significantly improve the conductivity of the nanocomposites and also activate the formation of nanorods/tubes. Moreover, PAni/HA/TiO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites treated with FeCl36H2O show better microwave absorption (99.950–99.999% absorption) compared with PAni/HA/TiO2/Fe3O4 micro/nanocomposites (67.0− 99.4% absorption) without treatment in frequency range of 10–13 GHz. Among the prepared PAni/HA/TiO2/Fe3O4 micro/nanocomposites and nanocomposites, PAni/HA/TiO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposite (treated with FeCl36H2O) with 40% Fe3O4 exhibit the best microwave absorption (99.999% absorption at 10 GHz) because of its high conductivity, high heterogeneity and moderate magnetization. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers