Structural, dielectric, and magnetic studies based on MWCNTs/NiFe2O4/ZnO nanoparticles dispersed in polymer PVA/PEO for electromagnetic applications

Abstract

The hydrothermal and the co-precipitation methods were used for the formation of new multifunctional MWCNTs/NiFe2O4/ZnO (MNFZ) hybrid nanostructures. The MNFZ hybrid nanostructure formation was asserted by characterizing it via the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and TEM. Then, the casting technique was used for preparing the MNFZ nanoparticle-doped Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) by various concentrations of MNFZ NPs as nanofiller. All polymer blend and nanocomposite films are shown by XRD studies to have a semicrystalline nature with a reduced degree of semi-crystallinity with the dopant. The infrared absorption band shift and the intensity change indicate the interaction or complexation between the blend and nanofiller is confirmed by FTIR studies. The volume percentage variation of the nanoparticles and the ferromagnetic response variation of the nanocomposite were in consistency. The dielectric characteristics and ac conductivity of the film polymer blend were higher upon adding the nanofiller because the charge carrier number was higher. Such features of MNFZ-doped PVA/PEO films prove their appropriateness as materials for electromagnetic applications.