Synthesis of poly(o-phenylenediamine)/ferric oxide composites with rose-like hierarchical microstructures

Abstract Poly(o-phenylenediamine)/ferric oxide (PoPD/Fe 2 O 3 ) composites with rose-like hierarchical microstructures were synthesized through a facile and controlled chemical oxidation process, during which oPD was oxidated by ferric sulfate [Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ]. The morphologies were formed by self-assembly of several tens of thin petals with a thickness of tens of nanometers. Products were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), indicating that Fe 2 O 3 existed in the composites. The influence of molar ratios of reactants on the formation of these microstructures was investigated and it was found that they have strong influence on the formation of the microstructures. The formation mechanism for the hierarchical nanostructures was also given.