Synthesis of hollow poly(aniline-co-pyrrole)–Fe3O4 composite nanospheres and their microwave absorption behavior

Hollow poly(aniline-co-pyrrole)–Fe3O4 (HPAP–Fe3O4) nanospheres with significant electromagnetic properties were successfully prepared via the oxidative polymerization of a mixture of aniline and pyrrole in the presence of a magnetic fluid, using a non-ionic surfactant as a template. The products were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electromagnetic (EM) and microwave absorbing properties of the nanocomposites were also investigated. The HPAP–Fe3O4 nanospheres exhibit superparamagnetic properties, and the conductivity increases with Fe3O4 content. The reflection loss evaluation based on the absorbing wall theory at 2 mm thickness shows that the reflection loss is reinforced in the frequency range of 0.5–10 GHz by the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and the frequency of minimum reflection loss shifts to a higher value with increasing Fe3O4 content. HPAP–Fe06 exhibits the best microwave absorbing property between 0.5 and 10 GHz.

► HPAP–Fe3O4 nanosphere is synthesized by in situ polymerization.
► HPAP–Fe3O4 nanosphere synthesized with hollow structure.
► HPAP–Fe3O4 nanosphere is microwave absorbing material.
► Increasing magnetite in nanospheres will increase absorbing properties.