Achieving full effective microwave absorption in X band by double-layered design of glass fiber epoxy composites containing MWCNTs and Fe3O4 NPs

The glass fiber epoxy composites containing MWCNTs and Fe₃O₄ NPs were manufactured by composites liquid molding process. The microwave absorbing properties of single-layered and double-layered glass fiber/MWCNTs/epoxy and glass fiber/Fe₃O₄ NPs/epoxy composites were evaluated. The reflection loss(RL) were calculated by the measured complex permittivity and permeability using waveguide method by vector network analyzer. Based on the mechanism analysis and deficiency of single-layer absorber, the double-layered composites were fabricated by using matching layer and absorbing layer to enhance the microwave absorption performance, which can be modulated by tailoring the electromagnetic parameters and thicknesses of each layer. The optimized microwave absorbing properties of double-layered composites with minimum RL of −45.7 dB and full X-band effective absorption can be achieved when the total thickness of the matching layer and absorbing layer is 1.8 mm, which can be attributed to synergistic effect of improved impedance matching characteristic and superior microwave attenuation characteristic of the absorbing layer. The combined utilization of dielectric loss and magnetic loss absorbent and their double-layered structure design shows great design flexibility and diversity and can be a promising candidate for designing high performance microwave absorbing materials.     

Synthesis,characterization and microwave absorption properties of polyaniline/Sm-doped strontium ferrite nanocomposite

Sm-doped strontium ferrite nanopowders (SrSm_0.3Fe_11.7O₁₉) and their composites of polyaniline (PANI)/SrSm_0.3Fe_11.7O₁₉ with 10 wt% and 20 wt% ferrite were prepared by a sol–gel method and an in-situ polymerization process, respectively. The structure, magnetic properties and microwave absorption properties of the samples were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and vector network analyzer, respectively. The particle size of SrSm_0.3Fe_11.7O₁₉ was about 35 nm by using XRD. The ferrite successfully packed by PANI. PANI/SrSm_0.3Fe_11.7O₁₉ possessed the best absorption property with the optimum matching thickness of 3 mm in the frequency of 2–18 GHz. The value of the maximum reflection loss (RL) were −26.0 dB at 14.2 GHz with the 6.5 GHz bandwidth and −24.0 dB at 13.8 GHz with the 7.9 GHz bandwidth for the samples with 10 wt% and 20 wt% ferrite, respectively.     

Fabrication of liquid crystal Fe3O4 composites and their magnetorheological properties

Some supramolecular polyacrylate-based liquid crystal polymers (PLCPs) were prepared by polyacrylic acid, a liquid crystal monomer and 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid. Series of magnetic liquid crystal particles (Fe₃O₄@PLCPs) with core-shell structure were prepared by modifying surface of magnetic nanoparticles Fe₃O₄ by the PLCPs. The Fe₃O₄@PLCPs showed a saturation magnetization strength above 51.17 emu/g, which is similar to pure magnetic Fe₃O₄, indicating good magnetism and magnetic field dependence. Series of magnetorheological fluids were fabricated by Fe₃O₄@PLCPs (using as dispersed phase) and silicone oil (using as carrier liquid). The effects of mesogen, magnetic particle, and the polymer matrix on magnetorheological performance and settling stability were investigated. The magnetorheological fluid based on 10% Fe₃O₄@PLCP-1 showed the best performance at an applied magnetic field of 100 mT in this study. Furthermore, the magnetorheological fluids showed excellent settling stability because the density of Fe₃O₄@PLCPs was lower than that of Fe₃O₄. The Fe₃O₄@PLCPs-based fluids presented certain application potential in the field of magnetic fluid due to the excellent magnetorheological effect and settling stability.     

Nanostructured ternary composites of PPy/CNT/NiFe2O4 and PPy/CNT/CoFe2O4: Delineating and improving microwave absorption

Two different ternary nanocomposites, PPy/CNT/CoFe₂O₄ and PPy/CNT/NiFe₂O₄, were synthesized by in situ polymerization method. The resulting composites were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. They were evaluated with the aim of investigating microwave absorption properties. The results showed that the value of microwave reflection decreases as that of prepared nanocomposites increases. This happens with increase in the PPy content and polymerization on the surface.     

Synthesis,characterization, dielectric and rectification properties of PANI/Nd2O3:Al2O3 nanocomposites

Polyaniline–Nd₂O₃:Al₂O₃ nanocomposites were prepared by in situ oxidative polymerization method using different weight percentages of oxide powders. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction for molecular and crystal structures. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images show the tubular structure of polyaniline nanocomposite with embedded metal oxides. The electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites increases with increase in temperature as well as with concentration of Nd₂O₃:Al₂O₃ particles in polyaniline. This is because of the hopping of charge polarons and extended chain length of the nanocomposites as evidenced by the negative thermal coefficient (NTC) characteristic. A high NTC value of 2.67 was found in nanocomposites with 15 wt% of oxide particles. These nanocomposites show low dielectric constant and dielectric loss; the electrical conductivity is higher than 0.3 S/cm as confirmed by Cole–Cole plot that indicates a decrease in both grain resistance and bulk resistance of the nanocomposites. The current–voltage and capacitance–voltage measurements were also carried out. The carrier mobility μ values of pure polyaniline and nanocomposites were found to be 4.27 × 10^?3 and 1.45 × 10^–2 H.M^?1, respectively. A significant enhancement in carrier mobility was observed in comparison with the literature. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,dielectric, and microwave absorption properties of flake carbonyl iron particles coated with nanostructure polymer

Flake carbonyl iron particles (FCIPs) coated with nanostructure polymer (meth‐acrylic acid‐polystyrene, MAA‐PS) were synthesized by dispersion polymerization using poly (vinylpyrrolidone) as stabilizer and 2, 2‐azobis (isobutyronirile) as a catalytic agent. Field emission scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope was used to observe its morphology of FCIPs‐MAA‐PS, and thermo‐gravimetric analyses were employed to characterize its mass loss of polymer surface modification. Electromagnetic properties of FCIPs before and after coating were investigated by Agilent 8720ET vector network analyzer within 0.5–18 GHz. After coated with nanostructure polymer, the real part of permittivity for FCIPs/wax composite was decreased while its permeability remained nearly unchanged. Dielectric behaviors were discussed by the Cole–Cole dispersion formula. After surface modification with nanostructure polymer, reflection loss of FCIPs‐MAA‐PS/wax composite presented a wide absorption band and showed the minimum value of reflection loss reaching ?39.4 dB when the thickness was 2.50 mm. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Research on WPU‐RGO/ATP‐Fe3O4/chitosan composites with excellent electrical and magnetic properties

First, attapulgite‐Fe₃O₄ magnetic filler (ATP‐Fe₃O₄) was prepared by using a chemical precipitation method. Subsequently, graphite oxide (GO) was prepared through Hummer method, and then reduced GO (RGO) was prepared through GO reduced by chitosan (CS). Finally, a series of WPU‐RGO/ATP‐Fe₃O₄/CS composites were prepared by introduced RGO/ATP‐Fe₃O₄/CS to waterborne polyurethane. The structure and properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), thermogravimetric analysis TGA, conductivity test, and tensile test. The experimental results indicated that thermal stability and tensile strength of nanocomposites were improved with the increase of the content of RGO/ATP‐Fe₃O₄/CS. Meanwhile, with the increase of the RGO/ATP‐Fe₃O₄/CS content, the electrical and magnetic properties of WPU‐RGO/ATP‐Fe₃O₄/CS composites were improved. When the content of RGO/ATP‐Fe₃O₄/CS was 8 wt%, the electrical conductivity and the saturation magnetic strength of WPU‐RGO/ATP‐Fe₃O₄/CS composites were 3.1 × 10^?7 S·cm^?1 and 1.38 emu/g, respectively. WPU‐RGO/ATP‐Fe₃O₄/CS composites have excellent electrical and magnetic properties.     

Development and characterization of antitumoral electrospun polycaprolactone/functionalized Fe3O4 hybrid membranes

The applicative potentiality of the nanotechnologies emerges more and more in all fields of science, technology, and medicine. In this context, magnetic nanoparticles have been recently proposed as promising nanomaterials to eliminate, through minimally invasive treatments, small tumours. This work deals with the design and realization of electrospun hybrid membranes of Polycaprolactone (PCL) incorporating magnetic nanoparticles modified with the acid citric-based ligand. The nature of the ligand allows very effective compatibility between nanoparticles and hosting fibers, as deducible by the nanoparticles distribution along the fibers. Dimension and functionalization of the nanoparticles, together with the optimization of the electrospinning parameters allow obtaining highly homogeneous distribution in the diameter of the nanocharged fibers, which ranges between 500 nm and 3 μm. The anticancer activity of the optimized electrospun hybrid membranes has been analyzed toward two different melanoma cell lines: the low metastatic A375 and the high metastatic A2058, using the MTT assay. The formulated membrane exhibited a dose-dependent reduction toward both melanoma cells viability, without a decrease of activity compared to the unfunctionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Promising results have been obtained also considering the antitumor activity of the hybrid Membranes toward uterine HeLa cells. Magnetic properties and structural and morphological characteristics of the functional membranes highlight very promising applications for tuning/enhancing the nanodelivery of drugs and chemotherapy assisted by electroporation technique.     

微米聚苯胺/Fe_3O_4空心球的制备及吸波性能

采用界面聚合和Pickering乳液聚合相结合的方法,以甲苯为软模板,磁性Fe3O4纳米颗粒为稳定剂,十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)为乳化剂,过硫酸铵(APS)为氧化剂,盐酸(HCl)为掺杂剂,制备了掺杂态聚苯胺/Fe3O4(D-PANI/Fe3O4)空心球.作为比较,在不掺杂盐酸的条件下,制备了本征态聚苯胺/Fe3O4(PANI/Fe3O4)空心球.用透射电子显微镜(TEM)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)仪、傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)仪、热重分析(TG)仪、振动样品磁强(VSM)计及恒压四探针测试仪对复合材料的形貌、结构、组成和电磁性能进行了表征.结果表明,D-PANI/Fe3O4空心球的直径约为2.8μm,电导率和饱和磁化强度(Ms)分别为2.75×10-2S/cm和54.26 A·m2/kg.用矢量网络分析(VNA)仪对D-PANI/Fe3O4空心球和PANI/Fe3O4空心球吸波性能进行分析,结果表明,D-PANI/Fe3O4空心球在12.64 GHz处的最小反射率为-43.3 d B,对应的匹配厚度为2 mm,其吸波性能明显优于PANI/Fe3O4空心球.     

Fabrication,adsorption and photocatalytic properties of ZnTi0.6Fe1.4O4/Carbon nanotubes composites

ZnTi_xFe_(2–x)O_4 and ZnTi_(0.6)Fe_(1.4)O_4/Carbon nanotubes(ZT_(0.6)F_(1.4)/CNTs) composites were prepared by chemical co-precipitation method. The composition, microstructure, magnetic property, adsorption and photocatalytic activity of the prepared samples were characterized by means of modern analytical techniques. The results indicated that ZT_(0.6)F_(1.4)/CNTs composites not only held the original special structure and excellent adsorption properties of CNTs, but also had suitable magnetic property and excellent photocatalytic activity. The removal rate of the samples on Rhodamine B(RhB) depended on the adsorption of CNTs and the photocatalytic degradation of ZT_(0.6)F_(1.4) in the composites. The maximum adsorption amount(q_m) of ZT_(0.6)F_(1.4)/CNTs with the mass ratios of ZT_(0.6)F_(1.4) to CNTs(mZ/C)=1 was up to 17.153 mg g~(–1) for RhB, its adsorption behavior was in accord with Langmuir model, and its photocatalytic degradation activity on RhB had a positive correlation with the content of ZT_(0.6)F_(1.4) in the sample. The experimental results indicate that the total removal rate of composite with mZ/C=1 on RhB was more than 95% and the composite had good decontamination capability on industrial dye wastewater. In addition, the samples can be recovered conveniently, activated easily and had good performance for recycling.     

Fabrication and Characterization of Nanocomposite Flexible Membranes of PVA and Fe3O4

Composite polymer membranes of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles were produced in this work. X-ray diffraction measurements demonstrated the formation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles of cubic structures. The nanoparticles were synthesized by a coprecipitation technique and added to PVA solutions with different concentrations. The solutions were then used to generate flexible membranes by a solution casting method. The size and shape of the nanoparticles were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The average size of the nanoparticles was 20±9 nm. Raman spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were utilized to investigate the structure of the membranes, as well as their vibration modes. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated the thermal stability of the membranes and the crystallinity degree. Electrical characteristics of the thin membranes were examined using impedance spectroscopy as a function of the nanoparticles’ concentrations and temperatures. The resistivity of the fabricated flexible membranes was possible to adjust by controlled doping with suitable concentrations of nanoparticles. The activation energy decreased with the nanoparticles’ concentrations due to the increase in charge carriers’ concentrations. Therefore, the fabricated membranes may be applied for practical applications that involve the recycling of nanoparticles for multiple application cycles.     

Tuning magnetic,electronic, and optical properties of Mn-doped NiCr2O4 via microwave method

The main aim of the paper to the synthesis of Mn (x)-doped NiCr₂O₄ nanoparticles by varying Mn content (x = 0.00%, 0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.03%) by microwave method for correlating the effect of NiCr₂O₄ on structural, optical, and magnetic properties of the materials. Understanding the optical, magnetic, and structural properties of huge reservoir factors has essential applications in various aspects of materials science. Our study is to relate the reduction of grain size of Mn content in NiCr₂O₄ host material. The XRD results revealed that there was an apparent decrease in the characteristic peaks of Mn in the MnNiCr₂O₄ nanostructure. Particularly, the peak position of (2 2 0) and (3 1 1) planes was decreased. This decrease in peak position is attributed to the creation of defects or disorders due to the Mn ions in the chromite lattice structure. This inter-site Mn cation migration is responsible for the breaking of long-range cation order and the introduction of defects at both the T-site and O-sublattices site simultaneously.     

Synthesis of Fe3O4, Fe2O3, Ag/Fe3O4 and Ag/Fe2O3 nanoparticles and their electrocatalytic properties

Two important iron oxides:Fe3O4 and Fe2O3,as well as Fe3O4 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles mingling with Ag were successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal procedure.The samples were confirmed and characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The morphology of the samples was observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The results indicated Fe3O4,Fe2O3,Ag/Fe3O4 and Ag/Fe2O3 samples all were nanoparticles with smaller sizes.The samples were modified on a glassy carbon electrode and their elctrocatalytic properties for p-nitrophenol in a basic solution were investigated.The results revealed all the samples showed enhanced catalytic performances by comparison with a bare glassy carbon electrode.Furthermore,p-nitrophenol could be reduced at a lower peak potential or a higher peak current on a glassy carbon electrode modified with Ag/Fe3O4 or Ag/Fe2O3 composite nanoparticles.     

聚乙二醇-四氧化三铁纳米粒子复合材料的结构、物理性质及应用

在β-环糊精作保护剂条件下, 制备了高对称的十八面体四氧化三铁(Fe₃O₄)纳米材料. 通过胶体化学方法, 合成了一系列不同起始计量比的聚乙二醇(PEG)和Fe₃O₄纳米粒子复合物(CM-1-CM-4). 这些PEG复合材料展示出重要特性: 首先, 它们的表面形貌依赖于Fe₃O₄的计量; 其次, PEG的熔化过程受Fe₃O₄的影响, 并且直接与Fe₃O₄的含量相关; 进一步研究表明, 除CM-4外, Fe₃O₄的引入导致PEG结晶度下降, 而且Fe₃O₄纳米粒子量越少, 降低幅度越大; 更为有趣的是, PEG的降解过程受制于Fe₃O₄纳米粒子的影响, 导致不同降解产物的出现; 而且, 与纯Fe₃O₄纳米粒子一样, 复合材料中的Fe₃O₄也显示典型的软铁磁性行为, 但饱和磁化强度相对较小; 此外, X射线光电子能谱(XPS)实验揭示在这些PEG复合材料中, 有从Fe到O的电子转移, Fe电子密度的降低可用来解释复合材料饱和磁化强度的减小; 最后, 这些PEG复合材料呈现出对有机染料的表面增强拉曼效应, 并且这种效应随Fe₃O₄纳米粒子含量的增加而增加. 这些结果将会对聚合物/无机纳米粒子复合材料的发展起到推进作用.     

Preparation and characterization of Fe_3O_4/Au composite particles

Colloid gold with different sizes has been widely used in immunoassay and nucleic acid detection mainly because of their properties for immobilization of biomolecules, such as antibodies and oligonucleo-tides, through chemical reactions via active group SH on the biomolecules. Magnetic particles modified with various chemical groups on their surface can not only exhibit good magnetic responsiveness to an external magnetic field but also immobilize biomolecules through these chemical groups. As…     

Synthesis,characterization, and electrical properties of polypyrrole/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites

Size‐controllable polypyrrole (PPy)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites have been synthesized by in situ chemical oxidation polymerization directed by various concentrations of cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Raman spectra, FTIR, SEM, and TEM were used to characterize their structure and morphology. These results showed that the composites are core (MWCNT)–shell (PPy) tubular structures with the thickness of the PPy layer in the range of 20–40 nm, depending on the concentration of CTAB. Raman and FTIR spectra of the composites are almost identical to those of PPy alone. The electrical conductivities of these composites are 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than those of PPy without MWCNTs. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6449–6457, 2006     

Probing the magnetoelectric response and energy efficiency in Fe3O4/epoxy nanocomposites

Fe₃O₄/epoxy nanocomposites were manufactured and studied. Structural, morphological, thermomechanical and dielectric characterization was conducted via X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, and Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy. Nanocomposites’ magnetic behaviour was obtained by a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device and their ability to store/harvest energy was investigated by DC charge/discharge tests. Data imply that the incorporation of the nanoparticles has an augmenting influence on the thermomechanical, dielectric and magnetic properties of the systems. Dielectric relaxations recorded in all systems are attributed to interfacial polarization, glass to rubber transition of the polymer matrix, and re-orientation of polar side groups of the polymer chain. Magnetic measurements confirmed the ferrimagnetic nature of the nanocomposites, while induced magnetic properties enhance with filler content. Stored and harvested energies increase with the applied DC field and the coefficient of energy efficiency increases in general with filler content.     

Facile synthesis of Fe3O4/reduced graphene oxide/polyvinyl pyrrolidone ternary composites and their enhanced microwave absorbing properties

In this paper, ternary nanocomposites of Fe₃O₄/reduced graphene oxide/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (Fe₃O₄/rGO/PVP) as a novel type of electromagnetic microwave absorbing materials were synthesized by a three-step chemical approach. First, Fe₃O₄ nanospheres were made by solvent thermal method. Successively, the Fe₃O₄ particles were assembled with rGO after having activated by para-aminobenzoic acid. PVP grafting and reduction of GO happened simultaneously in the third step. It is found that the electromagnetic absorption (EA) performance of synthesized ternary composites with suitable PVP amount had been significantly enhanced comparing to Fe₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄/rGO. Merely 15?wt% low loading in paraffin and thin as 2.8?mm can reach effective EA bandwidth (below ?10 Db) of 11.2?GHz, and the highest reflection loss reached ?67?dB at 10.7?GHz. It was demonstrated that these composites show an effective route to novel microwave absorbing material design.     

Preparation, characterization and gas-sensitive properties of nano-crystalline Cr2O3Fe2O3 mixed oxides

A series of Fe₂-_xCr_xO₃(x = 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0) mixed oxides have been prepared with the chemical coprecipitation method and characterized by specific surface area, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Single-phase Fe-Cr mixed oxide nano-crystalline powders with corundum structure are obtained, and the results of the five characterization methods are well accordant with each other. Furthermore, gas-sensitive properties of the sensors made of the oxide powders have been studied.     

Influence of mechanical activation time,annealing, and Fe/O ratio on Fe3O4/Fe composites formation from Fe2O3 and Fe powders mixture

Commercially, iron (α-Fe) and hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) powders were used for the synthesis of composite powders of Fe₂O₃/Fe type by mechanical milling. Several ratios of Fe₂O₃/Fe were chosen for the composite synthesis; the atomic percent of oxygen in the starting mixtures ranged from 21 to 46 %. The Fe₂O₃/Fe composite samples with various Fe/O ratios were milled for different milling times. The milled composite samples were subjected to the heat treatments in argon up to 900 °C. During the heat treatment at temperatures that do not exceed 550 °C, Fe₃O₄/Fe composite particles are formed by the reaction between the Fe₂O₃ and Fe. Further increase of the heat treatment up to 700 °C leads to the reaction of the Fe₃O₄/Fe composite component phases, resulting thus in the formation of FeO/Fe composite. The heat treatment up to 900 °C of the Fe₂O₃/Fe leads to the formation of a composite of FeO/Fe₃O₄/Fe independent of the milling time and Fe₂O₃/Fe ratios. The onset temperatures of the Fe₃O₄ and FeO formations decrease upon increasing the milling time. Another important aspect is that, in the case of the same milling time but with a large amount of iron into the composite powder the formations temperatures of Fe₃O₄ and FeO are also decreasing. The influence of the mechanical activation time, heat treatment temperature, and Fe/O ratio on the formation of the (Fe₃O₄, FeO)/Fe composite from Fe₂O₃+Fe precursor mixtures was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction techniques.