Experimental design to evaluate the efficiency of maghemite nanoparticles incorporation in styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers

Magnetized styrene-divinylbenzene resins can be obtained by inserting superparamagnetic nanoparticles of maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3) in the polymeric matrix. The incorporation of this nanoparticulate material can be influenced by several factors. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of these variables through an experimental design, where three factors were evaluated: cross-linking degree, initiator content and porogenic agent, at two levels. Subsequently, to evaluate the properties of the synthesized magnetized resins, magnetization curves were plotted using a vibrating sample magnetometer, thermal stability of the magnetized copolymer was determined by thermogravimetric analysis and the morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The highest initiator content produced the greatest synthesis yield, and the presence of toluene had a positive effect on saturation magnetization, indicating that incorporation of maghemite in the polymer matrix and thermal degradation were influenced by higher divinylbenzene content.

Automated summary

This study investigated the synthesis of magnetized resins and found that the initiator content significantly influences the synthesis yield, while the presence of toluene has a positive effect on saturation magnetization, indicating the influence of divinylbenzene content on the incorporation of γ-Fe2O3 and thermal degradation.