Synthesis and characterization of ferrite nanocomposite spheres from hydroxylated polymers

Synthesis and characterization of ferrite-polymer nanocomposite spheres from nickel-ferrite or nickel-zinc-ferrite and hydrophilic polymers such as polyhydroxylated methylmethacrylate (PHPMMA) or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is reported. The ferrite filler was synthesized via the nitrate-citrate autocombustion method. The composite samples were prepared by direct mixing of the ferrite and the polymer, followed by sonication. X-ray powder diffraction patterns indicate crystalline nature of the filler particles. Electron microscopic investigation revealed a spherical morphology and an average particle size of 86 +/- 5 nm for the composite. Additional characterization of the composites was done using EDXS and FTIR spectroscopy. The percentage of magnetization induced in composites with PHPMMA was higher than that obtained from PVA based composites. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.