Optical, conductivity, dielectric, and magnetic properties of polymer nanocomposite based on PAM/cs matrix and ZnFe2O4 NPs for use in magneto-electronic and energy storage capacitor devices

In this study, a cast synthesis approach was used to create flexible nanocomposite films made of polyacrylamide (PAM), chitosan (Cs), and zinc ferrite nanoparticles (ZnFe2O4 NPs). XRD analysis was used to examine the composite structure. They demonstrated the effective interaction between ZnFe2O4 NPs and PAM/Cs blend. As the concentration of nanomaterial in the host polymer matrix grew, it was observed that the PAM/Cs matrix's direct and indirect energy band gaps decreased while its absorbance of ultraviolet–visible radiations increased. The nanocomposite's AC conductivity was significantly higher than that of the blend, and 2.5 wt percent of the nanocomposite showed the highest electrical conductivity. It was observed that as frequency raised, the ε′ and ε″ declined though the concentration of nanoparticles enhanced these characteristics. Because of the high dielectric permittivity of ZnFe2O4, the values of ε′ and ε″ raised as ZnFe2O4 were higher. The outcome of the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) demonstrated the ferromagnetic property of the produced nanocomposites. Furthermore, the VSM study shows that as the nanoparticles content increases, the PAM/Cs/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposites' Ms, Hc, and Mr also increase. These PAM/Cs/ZnFe2O4 films were shown by the experimental results to be promising candidates for bandgap-regulated materials, electromagnetic interference shielders, frequency tunable nanodielectric, and flexible dielectric substrates for future microelectronic, optoelectronic technologies, and capacitive energy storage.