Preparation and electromagnetic wave absorption properties of core–shell structured Fe3O4–polyaniline nanoparticles

Abstract

Fe3O4 nanoparticles were first prepared by a facile oxidation–reduction method and then Fe3O4–polyaniline nanoparticles were obtained by an in situ polymerization of aniline in the presence of dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid. The microstructure and electromagnetic properties of the Fe3O4–polyaniline nanoparticles have been investigated. The Fe3O4–polyaniline nanoparticles with a core of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and a shell of polyaniline polymer are irregular spheres with an average size of 72.4 nm. An optimal reflection loss of −35.1 dB is observed at 16.7 GHz with a 1.7 mm thick layer. The excellent electromagnetic properties are ascribed to the dielectric resonance from the special core–shell microstructure and the broad and strong natural resonance from the Fe3O4 nanoparticles.