Bioinspired synthesis of novel teeth‐like hierarchical architecture polyaniline/lead tungstate nanocomposites with photoluminescence property

Large‐scale one‐step synthesis of novel teeth‐like hierarchical architecture polyaniline (PANI)/lead tungstate (PbWO4) nanocomposites has been achieved from aqueous solution by in situ polymerization at room temperature. The reaction conditions, such as pH value and the molar ratio, are found to play a crucial role in controlling the size and morphology of the products. The model of “nucleation‐growth‐assembly” is proposed to explain formation mechanism of the teeth‐like PANI/PbWO₄ nanocomposites. Interestingly, the larger size and higher crystallinity are beneficial to the improvement of photoluminescence (PL) intensity. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:516–522, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers