Electromagnetic properties of electrospun Fe3O4/carbon composite nanofibers

In order to develop multifunctional nanofibers, the electrical conductivity and magnetic properties of Fe3O4/carbon composite nanofibers have been examined. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is used as a matrix to produce magnetic composite nanofibers containing different amounts of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles. Electrospun composite nanofibers were thermally treated to produce electrically conductive and magnetically permeable composite carbon nanofibers. The composite nanofibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, four-point probe and Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID). Uniform nanofibers were obtained with successful transferring of magnetic properties of Fe3O4 into the as-spun composite nanofibers. The electromagnetic properties were tuned by adjusting the amount of Fe3O4 in the matrix and carbonization process. The electrical conductivity, magnetic moment and also magnetic hysteresis rise up by adding Fe3O4 and increasing carbonization temperature. The high surface area provided by the ultrafine fibrous structures, the flexibility and tuneable electromagnetic properties are expected to enable the expansion of the design options for a wide rage of electronic devices. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.