Synthesis and characterization of Ag/polyaniline core–shell nanocomposites based on silver nanoparticles colloid

Ag/polyaniline core–shell nanocomposites were successfully synthesized via in situ chemical oxidation polymerization of aniline based on mercaptocarboxylic acid capped Ag nanoparticles colloid. The morphology and structure of the products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV–Vis spectra. A possible formation mechanism of the Ag/polyaniline core–shell nanocomposites was also proposed.