Constructing magnetic polyaniline/metal hybrid nanostructures using polyaniline/Fe3O4 composite hollow spheres as supports

Polyaniline (PANI)/Fe3O4 composite hollow spheres have been successfully synthesized in one step using sulfonated polystyrene (PS) spheres as templates. The magnetic PANI hollow spheres were used as supports for noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) such as Au and Pd. The morphology, composition and magnetic properties of the resulting products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic spectra and vibrating sample magnetometer. The catalytic activity of magnetic PANI/Au composite shells on the oxidation of dopamine was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The obtained results provide our product with a practical application for the detection of dopamine. On the other hand, the catalytic activity of magnetic PANI/Pd composite shells on the reduction of 4-nitroaniline was investigated by spectroscopic methods and compared with Pd/C catalyst which was already widely used in industrial production. - Graphical abstract: TEM image of PANI/Fe3O4 hollow spheres which can be used as supports for a variety of catalysts such as noble metal nanoparticles. Based on the unique properties of polyaniline hollow spheres and Fe3O4 NPs, we designed the synthesis of polyaniline/Fe3O4 NPs composite hollow spheres as supports for catalysts such as noble metal NPs. As a result, the obtained composites exhibit enhanced catalytic activities and can be easily separated from reaction mixture by using an NdFeB permanent magnet.