Influence of magnetite nanoparticles on electrical, magnetic and thermal properties of chitin/cashew gum biopolymer nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, we report the preparation of polymer blend nanocomposites based on chitin (CT)/cashew gum (CG) with various contents of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4). The fabricated nanocomposites were characterised by FT infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), magnetic property (vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM)), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TGA) and impedance analyser. FTIR study revealed the characteristic absorption and shifts of peaks of the blend matrix, the shifts being attributed to the intermolecular interaction of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with CT/CG segments. The amorphous domain of the blend decreased with an increase in the concentration of nanoparticles was observed from XRD analysis. The HRTEM images showed the uniform arrangement of nanoparticles within the CT/CG network. VSM studies showed the ferromagnetic nature of the blend composite with an increasing saturation of magnetism with super‐paramagnetic behavior. DSC and TGA results revealed that the glass transition temperature and thermal stability of the composites were increased by the addition of magnetite nanoparticles. AC and dielectric properties were much improved in the entire range of frequencies due to the interaction with Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The role of nanoparticles on mechanical properties has been carefully studied. The tensile strength and hardness of magnetite filled nanocomposites become significantly higher in comparison to unfilled compounds and the nanocomposite with 10 wt. % of nanoparticles showed the maximum tensile strength. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E540–E549, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers