ZnS nanoparticles-tailored electric, magnetic and mechanical properties of nanocomposites

Abstract

Zinc sulfide nanoparticles are embedded in unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) to form nanocomposites through the hand layup method. It is observed that dielectric, magnetic and mechanical properties improved due to strong interaction between ZnS nanofillers and UPR matrix. The amorphous nature of prepared nanocomposites confirmed by x-ray diffraction. SEM images revealed that UPR based nanocomposites exhibited well dispersion of ZnS nanoparticles. ZnS nanofillers (2.5 wt % concentration) exhibited significant/improved values of dielectric constant 309, ac conductivity 2.71 × 10−4S/cm, coercivity 259Oe, magnetic saturation 0.117 emu/g, and magnetic remanence 2.9 × 10−3emu/g. Whereas, good tensile strength 6.56 MPa and Young's modulus 99.7 MPa is observed at 2 wt % concentration of ZnS nanofillers. This work suggests that the prepared semiconducting ZnS nanofillers in the UPR matrix has potential as an electro-magnetic material with remarkable properties.