Interfacial synthesis of lollipop-like Au–polyaniline nanocomposites for catalytic applications

Abstract

Here we report a facile synthesis of lollipop-like Au–polyaniline (Au–PANI) nanocomposites through an interfacial polymerization method, with a lower-density oil phase (toluene) than the water phase. Simultaneous polymerization of aniline and reduction of AuCl₄⁻ ions lead to the formation of Au–PANI nanocomposites, and the action of gravity results in the final lollipop-like structure. The as-prepared Au–PANI nanocomposites show high catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) into 4-aminophenol (4-AP) by NaBH₄, which are also promising platforms for monitoring the plasmon-driven catalytic conversion of 4-aminothiophenol (4ATP) into 4,4′-dimercaptoazobenzene (DMAB). We believe such metal–polymer nanocomposites will be appealing for optical, plasmonic, and catalytic applications.