Detailed investigation of structural, elastic, and thermal properties of PANI doped silver ferrites AgFe2O3/ZnO

Abstract

We report the infrared absorption properties of polyaniline nanocomposites (AgFe2O3/ZnO) with different amounts of PANI (5 and 10 wt%) powder samples by in situ chemical oxidation polymerization synthesis. In contrast, silver ferrite nanomaterial has been synthesized using a hydrothermal approach. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the prepared samples. Rhombohedral structures were seen in the pure (AgFe2O3/ZnO) and its PANI composites. The size of the crystallites was found between 30 to 40 nm. The SEM images of the composites confirmed the morphology of prepared samples. The FTIR spectrum for each of the samples consists of two wide absorption bands that correspond to the tetrahedral V1 and octahedral V2 sites bending vibrations. Force constants were found higher for tetrahedral sites as compared to octahedral sites. FTIR parameters have been used to calculate the Bulk modulus (B), Rigidity modulus (R), Young’s modulus (Y), and Poisson ratio (σ). Elastic parameters for PANI doped ferrites have improved significantly compared to pure AgFe2O3/ZnO ferrite due to strong inter atomic bonding. This can be beneficial in overcoming physical stresses that may arise during material fabrication and commercialization. Debye temperature increased with increasing PANI concentration.