Polyaniline–Prussian blue hybrid: synthesis and magnetic behaviour

Abstract

We report the synthesis of an organic–inorganic hybrid material composed of a conducting polyaniline (PANI) matrix and Prussian blue (PB) network, the latter formed in situ in the polymer matrix. The hybrid was prepared by treating FeCl₄ ⁻-doped PANI with K₃Fe(CN)₆ unlike the previously reported method of potential cycling to obtain alternate layers of PANI and PB. Cyclic voltammetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigations confirmed the formation of a network typical of PB inside the PANI matrix. Infrared spectroscopy points to the formation of an extended network between Fe in PANI matrix and Fe from K₃Fe(CN)₆. Magnetization studies of the hybrid material showed ferromagnetic ordering with a T _c of about 6 K.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr G. Ravikumar, Technical Physics and Prototype Engineering Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, for help with the SQUID magnetometry measurements. We also thank Dr I. K. Gopalakrishnan and Dr R. Ganguly, of Novel Materials and Structural Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, for their help and for fruitful discussions.