A facile, one-pot synthesis of ultra-long nanoparticle-chained polyaniline wires

Abstract

Ultra-long nanoparticle-chained polyaniline wires (NPWs) including one-dimensional (1D) Au nanoparticle (NP) chains were synthesized by a one-pot assembly process in water interfaced with a high-density aniline solution. The NPWs exhibited polarization-dependent surface-enhanced Raman scattering along the long axis, which was explained by the field enhancement effect by the embedded Au NP chains. Furthermore, the NPW-based devices exhibited a bistability in their electrical transport properties, which was attributed to charge trapping by the embedded Au NPs. This method allows us to mass-produce NPWs, which should have potential for various optoelectronic applications.