Fabrication of electromagnetic Fe3O4@polyaniline nanofibers with high aspect ratio

Abstract

Electromagnetic Fe₃O₄@polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers with high aspect ratio were realized by combining magnetic-field-induced (MFI) self-assembly and in situ surface polymerization of aniline. The key to fabrication is to induce chaining of the amino-Fe₃O₄ microspheres during the PANI coating process, which allows additional deposited PANI to warp entire chains into nanofibers. Hydrogen bonds are thought to be the driving force that makes aniline form a PANI coating shell instead of irregular sheets. Compared to the Fe₃O₄@PANI microspheres, higher magnetization saturation value and conductivity value were achieved in the Fe₃O₄@PANI nanofibers, which hold high promise for potential applications in microwave absorbents, electromagnetic shielding coatings, and other usage associated with conventional electromagnetic techniques.