Synthesis and electromagnetic characterization of polyaniline nanorods using Schiff base through ‘seeding’ polymerization

Two kinds of Schiff base, m-phenylenediamine-glyoxal (Schiff base A) and p-phenylenediamine-glyoxal (Schiff base B), were used as ‘seed’ to induce the polymerization of aniline and hence prepare polyaniline (PANI) nanorods. The different preparation conditions including the Schiff base structure, dosage and acidity of the reaction medium, were investigated to discuss the influence of these conditions on the conductivity of the resulting samples through two-probe method at room temperature. The products were also characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis), scanning electro microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. The results implied that these conditions play an important role in the formation of PANI nanorods. Moreover, the resulting PANI nanorods exhibited an unusual electromagnetic loss at the microwave frequency (f = 8.2–12.4 GHz) arose from order arrangement of polaron as charge carrier caused by a nanorods morphology and can be used for the potential application as microwave absorbing materials.