Surface modified iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanosheets reinforced PVDF nanocomposites: influence on morphology, thermal and magnetic properties

ABSTRACT

In this work, iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanosheets are synthesised using the solvothermal method. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation confirms the nanosheets-like morphology of Fe₃O_4. While X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies of Fe₃O₄ nanosheets reveal the Fe₃O₄ nanosheets synthesised are crystalline in nature. Vibration sample magnetometry studies of Fe₃O₄ nanosheets have shown superparamagnetic behaviour with saturation magnetisation (M_s) value of 29.6 emu/g. The synthesised Fe₃O₄ nanosheets are dispersed in poly(vinylidene fluoride) PVDF matrix using the solution casting method with slow evaporation of solvent at 60 °C which facilitates the formation of β-form of PVDF crystals. The PVP modified Fe₃O₄ nanosheets incorporation in the PVDF matrix influences the thermal stability and crystalline behaviour. Scanning electron microscope observation shows the improved dispersion of Fe₃O₄ nanosheets in the PVDF matrix by modifying Fe₃O₄ nanosheets with PVP. The M_s value is increased by ∼122% for PVP modified Fe₃O₄ nanosheets reinforced PVDF nanocomposites as compared to Fe₃O₄ nanosheets reinforced PVDF nanocomposites.

KEYWORDS:

• Fe₃O₄ nanosheets
• PVDF
• solvothermal method
• nanocomposites
• crystallinity
• thermal stability
• magnetisation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).