Preparation and sedimentation behavior of conductive polymeric nanoparticles

Abstract

A facile route to prepare Fe₃O₄/polypyrrole (PPY) core-shell magnetic nanoparticles was developed. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were first prepared by a chemical co-precipitation method, and then Fe₃O₄/PPY core-shell magnetic composite nanoparticles were prepared by in-situ polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and laser particle size analyzer. The images indicate that the size of Fe₃O₄ particles is about 10 nanometers, and the particles are completely covered by PPY. The Fe₃O₄/PPY core-shell magnetic composite nanoparticles are about 100 nanometers and there are several Fe₃O₄ particles in one composite nanoparticle. The yield of the composite nanoparticles was about 50%. The sedimentation behavior of Fe₃O₄/PPY core-shell magnetic nanoparticles in electrolyte and soluble polymer solutions was characterized. The experimental results indicate that the sedimentation of particles can be controlled by adjusting electrolyte concentration, solvable polymers and by applying a foreign field. This result is useful in preparing gradient materials and improving the stability of suspensions.

Keywords

conductive polymers / polypyrrole / nanomaterials / composite / sedimentation