Synthesis and characterization of polypyrrole-coated iron oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

Conducting polymers are gaining importance in recent years for their remarkable electrical and ionic properties and so, in order to further improve the fundamental properties, they are being integrated with iron oxide (Fe _3 O _4 ) nanoparticles (NPs). Therefore, in the present study, polypyrrole (PPy) doped with iron oxide NPs to form PPy@Fe _3 O _4 nanocomposite by adopting a simple chemical precipitation method of in situ polymerization. The various spectroscopic (UV–vis, FTIR, Raman, XRD, and XPS), and electron microscopic (FESEM and HRTEM) analysis were employed to study the effects of Fe _3 O _4 NPs onto the polymer mixture. The analysis of results revealed the successful doping of Fe _3 O _4 NPs onto the PPy polymer and also, the Raman spectral studies confirmed not only for the stabilization of doped nanocomposites in its polaronic form but also prevented from the auxiliary oxidation of polymer.

Keywords

• polymer composites
• polypyrrole
• Fe3O4
• chemical precipitation
• Raman spectroscopy
• x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy