Controlling the physical properties of polyacrylonitrile by strontium hexaferrite nanoparticles

The formulation of polymer with embedded magnetic nanoparticles results in promising nanocomposites for smart and analytical applications. Nanocomposites containing polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and different mass contents of strontium hexaferrite (SFO) were prepared using the casting method. The nanocomposite samples were characterized by using different techniques such as field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Dielectric investigations of SFO/PAN nanocomposites showed that the permittivity and conductivity are considerably enhanced as the content of SFO increased. Optical properties revealed that the absorption and transmittance spectra were significantly affected by adding SFO nanoparticles to the PNA polymer matrix. To investigate the magnetic properties of the nanocomposite samples, the vibrating sample magnetometer was used. The magnetic hysteresis loops illustrated the ferromagnetic nature of SFO/PAN nanocomposites. Different magnetic parameters were given, and they depend on the content of PAN in the nanocomposites.