Morphology of cobalt ferrite nanoparticle–polyelectrolyte multilayered nanocomposites

Novel magnetic nanocomposite films with controlled morphology were produced via the electrostatic layer-by-layer assembly of cationic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles and anionic poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy thiophene)/poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) complex. The electrostatic interaction between nanoparticle and the polyelectrolyte complex ensured a stepwise growth of the nanocomposite film with virtually identical amounts of materials being adsorbed at each deposition cycle as observed by UV–vis spectroscopy. AFM images acquired under the tapping mode revealed a globular morphology with dense and continuous layers of nanoparticles with voids being filled with polymeric material.

Research Highlights
► Novel magnetic nanocomposite films with controlled morphology assembled by layer-by-layer.
► Electrostatic interaction of cationic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles and anionic (PEDOT:PSS).
► Globular morphology of dense layers of nanoparticles with voids being filled with polymeric material.