Synthesis, characterization and impedance spectroscopy study of magnetite/epoxidized natural rubber nanocomposites
By Tan, W.L. & Bakar, M. Abu
Published in Journal of Alloys and Compounds
2013
Abstract
The magnetite (Fe3O4) particles were synthesized in situ in the presence of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) to produce the various Fe3O4/ENR nanocomposites. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the existence of Fe3O4 particles in the composites. The FTIR and DSC studies suggested that no chemical interactions between the particles and the matrix. The SEM and X-mapping micrographs revealed that the Fe3O4 particles were distributed within the ENR matrix. The ENR matrix exerts control on the Fe3O4 particles with a size of <20 nm in the composites. The Fe3O4 particles also affect the electrical properties of the composites. Impedance spectroscopy studies show that the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites increases with the increase in Fe3O4 loading in the composite. The equivalent circuit for the Fe3O4/ENR nanocomposites is proposed and discussed.