Investigation of magnetic properties of Fe3O4/Halloysite nanotube/polypyrrole core-shell nanocomposite and its stability in the acidic environment

In this research study, Fe3O4 nanoparticles and Fe3O4/Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were initially prepared for testing using a co-precipitation method. Fe3O4/HNTs/polypyrrole (PPy) core-shell magnetic nanocomposite was synthesized using in situ polymerization of pyrrole monomers at the Fe3O4/ HNT level. The Fourier transform spectrum revealed well the characteristic Halloysite and PPy peaks. Scanning electron microscopy images showed the uniform structure of nanoparticles and nanocomposite. The change in nanoparticle diameter after polymerization was well visible. Fe3O4/HNTs/PPy nanocomposites have strong acids' fine dispersion and stability properties, making them suitable for various applications. Measurement of magnetic at room temperature showed that Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/HNTs nanoparticles have a magnetic saturation of 73.84 emu/g and 30.63 emu/g, respectively. Coating the nanoparticles with PPy reduces the saturation magnetization value of Fe3O4/HNTs/PPy nanocomposites to 6.7 emu/g. Results illustrated that Fe3O4/HNTs/PPy nanocomposites have great potential for performing applications.