Phenylenediamine–benzaldehyde Schiff base Ag(I) complexes grown on graphene with the intercalated structures for electromagnetic composites

• This composites have been successfully prepared by Schiff base reaction.
• Saturation magnetization is 2.93 emu g−1, and residual magnetization is 0.69 emu g−1.
• Conductivity is 5.07 S cm−1, and coercive force is 104.68 Oe.

The graphene (GN)/phenylenediamine–benzaldehyde (PD–BD) Schiff base Ag(I) complexes were synthesized by the Schiff-base reaction. The morphology and phase structure of the samples were characterized by electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. Their conductive properties were measured by a four-probe conductivity tester at room temperature. And their magnetic properties were tested by a vibrating sample magnetometer. These results show that the PD–BD Schiff base Ag(I) complexes are chemically bonded onto the GN framework to form an intercalated structure. The conductivity, saturation magnetization, residual magnetization and coercive force of the final complex are found to be 5.07 S cm−1, 2.93 emu g−1, 0.69 emu g−1 and 104.68 Oe, respectively. Finally, a possible formation and magnetic mechanism of the composites has also been proposed.