Synthesis of gold–polyaniline nanocomposites by complexation

Complexation synthesis methods have been examined in the preparation of nanogold–polyaniline systems. This extends work previously reported on the use of a spontaneous redox coupling of aniline polymerization to the reduction of a gold salt added to the monomer and mixed initially at the molecular level. The extension involves the addition of an additional reducing agent in the form of borohydride. The end product of the nanoparticle Au–PANI composite is very much a function of the borohydride : Au and N : Au ratios used in the synthesis. The size of the resulting gold particles can be directly tuned in the diameter range 2–10 nm by adjusting the borohydride : Au ratio used. Thorough characterization of the structures of the composites has been undertaken. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.