Core–shell structured and electro-magnetic functionalized polyaniline composites

Core–shell structured and electro-magnetic functionalized polyaniline (PANI) composites were chemically prepared by micro-spherical hydroxyl iron (Fe(OH)) magnet as the hard-template associated with a self-assembly process in the presence of β-naphthalene sulfonic acid (β-NSA) as the dopant. Field emitting scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements indicate that the electro-magnetic functionalized PANI–β-NSA/Fe(OH) composites have a novel core–shell structure, in which micro-spherical Fe(OH) magnet (0.5–5 μm in diameter) is as the core, and self-assembled PANI–β-NSA nanofibers (30–50 nm in diameter) formed on the surface of the Fe(OH) microspheres is as the shell (60 nm in thickness). Moreover, the electro-magnetic properties of the core–shell micro/nanostructured composites are adjustable by changing the ratio of Fe(OH) to aniline monomer.