Crystallinity, conductivity, and magnetic properties of PVDF-Fe 3O4 composite films

Abstract

The formation of Fe<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> nanoparticles by hydrothermal process has been studied. X-ray Diffraction measurements were carried out to distinguish between the phases formed during the synthesis. Using the synthesized Fe<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> nanoparticles, poly(vinyledene fluoride)-Fe<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> composite films were prepared by spin coating method. Scanning electron microscopy of the composite films showed the presence of Fe<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> nanoparticles in the form of aggregates on the surface and inside of the porous polymer matrix. Differential Scanning calorimetry revealed that the crystallinity of PVDF decreased with the addition of Fe<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf>. The conductitivity of the composite films was strongly influenced by the Fe<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> content; conductivity increased with increase in Fe<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> content. Vibration sample magnetometry results revealed the ferromagnetic behavior of the synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles with a Ms value of 74.50 emu/g. Also the presence of Fe<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> nanoparticles rendered the composite films magnetic. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.