Synthesis, characterization and transport properties of polyaniline/nickel ferrite Nanocomposites

Conducting polyaniline/Nickel ferrite (PANI/NiFe₂O₄) nanocomposites have been synthesized by an interfacial polymerization using ammonium persulphate as the oxidant, with different weight percentage (10, 30 and 50 wt %) of NiFe₂O₄ in PANI whereas NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles have been synthesized by microwave method. The samples were characterized by Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, structures and morphology of samples were studied by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) indicates the dispersion of NiFe₂O₄ in PANI. The AC conductivity, Dielectric constant and Dielectric loss of these samples were investigated as a function of frequency at room temperature in the frequency range 10 Hz to 10⁶ Hz. The AC conductivity of 7.58x10⁻⁶ Scm⁻¹ at 6x10⁵ Hz due to dipole polarization at room temperature is observed as the maxima for the PANI/NiFe₂O₄ (30wt %) nanocomposites. The real dielectric constant and imaginary dielectric constant decreased as the frequency increased and after 10⁴ Hz they remain almost constant. The magnetic properties of the samples were measured at room temperature using Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) in the field range ±15000G.