Magnetic properties of poly(trimethylene terephthalate-block-poly(tetramethylene oxide) copolymer nanocomposites reinforced by graphene oxide-Fe3O4 hybrid nanoparticles

TL;DR

This study explores the integration of graphene oxide-Fe3O4 hybrid nanoparticles into a thermoplastic elastomer to enhance magnetic and mechanical properties, demonstrating successful dispersion and significant magnetic behavior in the resulting nanocomposites.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of incorporating superparamagnetic GO-Fe3O4 hybrid nanoparticles into PTT-PTMO copolymer nanocomposites via in situ polymerization, analyzing their effects on structure and magnetism.

Findings

Nanocomposites exhibit enhanced magnetic properties.

Good dispersion of nanoparticles within the elastomer matrix.

Altered phase and mechanical properties due to nanoparticle loading.

Abstract

Thermoplastic elastomeric nanocomposites based on poly(trimethylene terephthalate-block-poly(tetramethylene oxide) copolymer (PTT-PTMO) and graphene oxide-Fe3O4 nanoparticle hybrid were prepared by in situ polymerization. Superparamagnetic GO-Fe3O4 hybrid nanoparticles before introducing to elastomeric matrix were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of loading (0.3 and 0.5 wt%) of GO-Fe3O4 nanoparticle hybrid on the phase structure, tensile and magnetic properties of synthesized nanocomposites was investigated. The phase structure of nanocomposites was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Dispersion of GO-Fe3O4 nanoparticles in elastomeric matrix was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Magnetic properties of GO-Fe3O4 nanoparticle hybrid and nanocomposites with their content were characterized by using two different techniques: dc SQUID magnetization measurements as a function of temperature (from 2 to 300 K) and external magnetic field and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) at microwave frequency.