Polybenzoxazine/Mg-Zn nano-ferrite composites: preparation, identification, and magnetic properties

In the present work, nano-ferrites of chemical composition: MgxZn1-xFe2O4 where x = 0.0, 0.3, 0.7, and (1) have been prepared by using two chemical methods to obtain the pure desired compositions without undesired phases. Benzoxazine monomer (BZ) has been synthesized using aniline, paraformaldehyde, and phenol through Mannich condensation reaction followed by thermal curing to produce a pristine polymer. Specified weights of ferrites have been mixed with the monomer followed by thermal treatment to obtain the composites. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis have been used to ensure the formation of the desired ferrites, BZ, polybenzoxazine (PBZ), and/or composites. The XRD has been used also to determine some of the structural properties of the prepared ferrites. Furthermore, the average particle size of the ferrite samples has been calculated from the XRD patterns and it has ranged from 17.2 to 31.5 nm which is in fair agreement with the calculated average particle size from the transmission electron microscope (TEM) images. For investigating the magnetic properties of the samples, the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) has been used at room temperature. The saturation magnetization (M-s) has increased significantly in the Mg ferrite samples and their composites with PBZ by increasing the zinc content. Also, M-s has decreased with increasing the PBZ ratio in the composites. The coercivity (H-c) has decreased by increasing zinc content in all samples, while increased in the composite samples with higher amounts of PBZ. The composites under investigation may be used in interesting device applications and coatings.

Automated summary

In this study, nano-ferrites with different compositions were prepared using chemical methods and mixed with Benzoxazine monomer (BZ) to produce composites. The formation of desired materials was confirmed through XRD and FTIR analysis, while the magnetic properties were investigated using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results showed a significant increase in saturation magnetization (M-s) for Mg ferrite samples and their composites with PBZ by increasing the zinc content.