Bimodal Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4/PANI nanocomposites: Synthesis, formation mechanism and magnetic properties

Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4/PANI nanocomposites with bimodal size distribution were synthesized via reverse microemulsion method. Structural characterization was done by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Vibrating sample magnetometer measurement confirmed the ferromagnetic behavior of nanocomposite with saturation magnetization of 3.95 emu/g and low coercive force (39 Oe). It was observed that on nanocomposite formation with PANI nanofibers, Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 ferrite nanocrystals undergo transition from being superparamagnetic to ferromagnetic. A mechanistic description of the process has also been presented in view that the process could be extended for the fabrication of other bimodal nanocomposites.