A facile route for the synthesis of nanotubular composite of polyaniline with cobalt and its superparamagnetism below blocking temperature

We have prepared nanotubular composite of polyaniline with cobalt from the reverse micelle of sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate and n ‐hexane. Samples are characterized with characterized by X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transformed‐infrared spectrums (FTIR), thermo gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimeter, and vibrating sample magnetometer. XRD patterns shows metastable ε ‐cobalt phase in the composite. Tube like morphology with average diameter of 25–35 nm and length up to 1 µm is obtained. Peak assignment of FTIR spectrum reveals that green solid material is polyaniline and incorporation of cobalt in polyaniline matrix leads structural change. EDS also indicates the presence of cobalt in the nanocomposite. Enhancement in thermal stability is obtained for nanocomposite. Superparamagnetism is obtained in the nanocomposite from dc magnetic measurement and ac susceptibility measurement. POLYM. COMPOS. 36:489–496, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers