Improving microwave absorption of the polyaniline by carbon nanotube and needle-like magnetic nanostructures

- Different nanocomposites based polyaniline were synthesized.
- Microwave absorption of the products were investigated.
- Carbon nanotubes and magnetic nanomaterials were added to the polymer matrix.
- The microwave absorption of the nanocomposite were improved via both carbon nanotubes and needle like magnetic nanomaterials.
- The morphology of the magnetic nanostructures had significant effect on the microwave absorption value.

In this work, the microwave absorption of the polyaniline (PANI) was improved with various needle like magnetic nanomaterials. Several nanocomposites such as PANI-CNT, PANI-CoFe2O4, PANI-NiFe2O4, PANI-CNT-CoFe2O4, PANI-CNT-NiFe2O4 and PANI-graphene were successfully synthesized. The products were investigated by various analysis techniques such as X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the products were well crystallized. Also, in order to prove the synthesis of the nanocomposites, the products were analyzed with FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. The morphology of the products was obtained by SEM and TEM images and it was found that CNT and magnetic nanostructures were well dispersed in the polymer matrix. Magnetic properties of the products were studied by alternating gradient force magnetometer (AGFM). Microwave absorption behavior of the products was investigated in detail and it was found that PANI-CNT-NiFe2O4 nanocomposite showed the best microwave absorption behavior. In fact, when both CNT and ferrite nanostructures are added to the polymer matrix, they improve the absorption value. Moreover, the results showed that the morphology of the magnetic nanomaterials has a significant effect on the microwave absorption value. In fact, due to high active surface of needle like magnetic nanostructures, they can absorb more microwave radiation.