Modification of structural and magnetic properties of Co[formula omitted]Ni[formula omitted]Fe2O4 nanoparticles embedded Polyvinylidene Fluoride nanofiber membrane via electrospinning method

Abstract

Ferrite nanoparticles have garnered significant attention due to their remarkable ferromagnetic properties. However, the functionality of the ferrite nanoparticles can be enhanced with the development of nanofiber membranes. This helps to control the surface, structural and magnetic properties of the composite nanofiber membrane. Herein, we report the fabrication of novel nanofiber membrane containing Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4-Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) via electrospinning method. The Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized with the help of sol–gel combustion method. Investigations on the effect of Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles embedded within PVDF polymer nanofiber membrane on structural, morphological and magnetic properties are discussed. XRD line profile analysis revealed cubic spinel structure of the Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles To determine the crystallite size of the samples; Scherrer, Williamson–Hall (W–H), and Size-Strain plot (SSP) were carried out with the help of XRD spectra. The crystallite size of the nanoparticles reduced as they were embedded within PVDF polymer. FTIR studies confirmed that the presence of Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 pristine nanoparticles within the polymeric nanofiber membrane was accountable for the enhanced β-phase bands which makes a significant effect on the ferroelectric properties of the nanofiber membrane. In addition, the VSM technique was used to study the ferromagnetic properties. The enhanced remnant magnetization and saturation magnetization of the nanoparticles was responsible for magnetic nature of the non-magnetic polymer PVDF.