In-situ chemical synthesis route for a fiber shaped gold-polyaniline nanocomposite

A facile synthesis route is described for the preparation of a gold-polyaniline nanocomposite material by polymerization of aniline hydrochloride using HAuCl₄ as the oxidant. It was found that the oxidative polymerization of aniline hydrochloride leads to the formation of polyaniline with a fiber-like morphology, while the concomitant reduction of HAuCl₄ results in the formation of gold nanoparticles of diameter 2-7 nm. The gold nanoparticles were highly dispersed and stabilized throughout the polyaniline fibers while being in intimate contact with the polymer. The combination formed a uniform metal-polymer composite material.