Structure and electrochemical properties of magnetite and polypyrrole nanocomposites formed by pyrrole oxidation with magnetite nanoparticles

Nanocomposite of magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and polypyrrole was prepared under sonication by a new chemical polymerization method during which Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles acted both as a pyrrole oxidant and as a component in the composite material. Synthesis of this nanocomposite was carried out in aqueous solution acidified to pH 2, a prerequisite for the formation of these types of material and to facilitate pyrrole oxidation by Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. In this way, two kind of materials were produced: Fe₃O₄/PPy nanocomposite in which magnetite nanoparticles were dispersed in PPy matrix and Fe₃O₄-aggregates@PPy nanocomposite that exhibits structure in which aggregates of magnetite nanoparticles are surrounded by a layer of polymeric phase. In the latter case, the polymerization process took place in the presence of a surfactant. These nanocomposites were characterized by electron microscopy techniques, IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. Particular attention was focused on the study of the electrochemical properties of the formed composites. The composite of Fe₃O₄ and PPy exhibits reversible electrochemical behaviour upon oxidation. The electrode process of the polymeric component oxidation in organic solvents such as acetonitrile and dichloromethane is very similar to the process in an aqueous solution.