K A Malini

Dielectric properties of rubber ferrite composites containing mixed ferrites

Rubber ferrite composites (RFC) are important since they have useful applications as microwave absorbers and flexible magnets. The mouldability of these composites into complex shapes is another advantage. The evaluation of their dielectric and magnetic properties is important in understanding the physical properties of these composites. Pre-characterized nickel zinc ferrites (Ni1-xZnxFe2O4 where 0 x1 in steps of 0.2) prepared by ceramic techniques were incorporated in to a butyl rubber matrix according to a specific recipe to yield RFCs. The dielectric constant of ceramic Ni1-xZnxFe2O4 and the butyl rubber composites incorporated with Ni1-xZnxFe2O4 are studied as a function of frequency, composition, loading and temperature. The observed data indicates that the dependence of the dielectric constant on frequency follows Maxwell-Wagner interfacial polarization. The compositional (zinc content, i.e. x value) dependence shows that the dielectric constant increases initially and reaches a maximum value for the composition corresponding to x = 0.6 and thereafter it decreases. This can be explained on the basis of porosity and alternating current (AC) conductivity. It was also observed that the dielectric constant of the composite material increases with an increase of the volume fraction of the magnetic filler. These observations satisfy some mixture equations, which correlate the dielectric constant of the matrix, filler and the composites. The temperature dependence of the dielectric constant of the ceramic samples as well as the RFCs shows an increase with an increase of temperature at low frequencies. The dielectric constant of the blank butyl rubber was also determined. It was observed that for a blank sample (without filler) the dielectric constant decreases with an increase of temperature. This is due to the decrease in polymer density with increase in temperature. These results suggest that the magnetic and dielectric properties of RFCs can be manipulated by appropriate loading and a judicious choice of the magnetic filler. The modification of these properties will aid in the design of composite materials for microwave absorbers.

Finite size effects on the electrical properties of sol?gel synthesized CoFe2O4 powders: deviation from Maxwell?Wagner theory and evidence of surface polarization effects

Fine particles of cobalt ferrite were synthesized by the sol?gel method. Subsequent heat treatment at different temperatures yielded cobalt ferrites having different grain sizes. X-ray diffraction studies were carried out to elucidate the structure of all the samples. Dielectric permittivity and ac conductivity of all the samples were evaluated as a function of frequency, temperature and grain size. The variation of permittivity and ac conductivity with frequency reveals that the dispersion is due to Maxwell?Wagner type interfacial polarization in general, with a noted variation from the expected behaviour for the cold synthesized samples. High permittivity and conductivity for small grains were explained on the basis of the correlated barrier-hopping model.

Evaluation of a.c. conductivity of rubber ferrite composites from dielectric measurements

The effect of frequency, composition and temperature on the a.c. electrical conductivity were studied for the ceramic, Ni1−xZnxFe2O4, as well as the filler (Ni1−xZnxFe2O4) incorporated rubber ferrite composites (RFCs). Ni1−xZnxFe2O4 (where) (bix)varies from 0 to 1 in steps of 0.2 were prepared by usual ceramic techniques. They were then incorporated into a butyl rubber matrix according to a specific recipe. The a.c. electrical conductivity (σa.c) calculations were carried out by using the data available from dielectric measurements and by employing a simple relationship. The a.c. conductivity values were found to be of the order of 10−3 S/m. Analysis of the results shows that σa.c. increases with increase of frequency and the change is same for both ceramic Ni1−xZnxFe2O4 and RFCs. σa.c increases initially with the increase of zinc content and then decreases with increase of zinc. Same behaviour is observed for RFCs too. The dependence of σa.c on the volume fraction of the magnetic filler was also studied and it was found that the a.c. conductivity of RFCs increases with increase of volume fraction of the magnetic filler. Temperature dependence of conductivity was studied for both ceramic and rubber ferrite composites. Conductivity shows a linear dependence with temperature in the case of ceramic samples.

Mechanism of ac conduction in nanostructured manganese zinc mixed ferrites

Mn1−xZnxFe2O4 nanoparticles (x = 0 to 1) were synthesized by the wet chemical co-precipitation technique. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy were effectively utilized to investigate the different structural parameters. The ac conductivity of nanosized Mn1−xZnxFe2O4 were investigated as a function of frequency, temperature and composition. The frequency dependence of ac conductivity is analysed by the power law σ(ω)ac = Bωn which is typical for charge transport by hopping or tunnelling processes. The temperature dependence of frequency exponent n was investigated to understand the conduction mechanism in different compositions. The conduction mechanisms are mainly based on polaron hopping conduction.

Tailoring magnetic and dielectric properties of rubber ferrite composites containing mixed ferrites

Rubber ferrite composites containing various mixed ferrites were prepared for different compositions and various loadings. The magnetic and dielectric properties of the fillers as well as the ferrite filled matrixes were evaluated separately. The results are correlated. Simple equations are proposed to predetermine the magnetic and dielectric properties. The validity of these equations is verified and they are found to be in good agreement. These equations are useful in tailoring the magnetic and dielectric properties of these composites with predetermined properties.

Loading dependence similarities on the cure time and mechanical properties of rubber ferrite composites containing nickel zinc ferrite

Abstract Composite magnetic materials have the unique advantage of property modification for tailoring devices for various applications. Rubber ferrite composites (RFCs) prepared by incorporating ferrites in rubber matrixes have the advantage of easy mouldability and flexibility. RFCs containing various loadings of nickel zinc ferrite (NZF) (Ni 1− x Zn x Fe 2 O 4 ) in a natural rubber matrix have been prepared. The cure characteristics and the mechanical properties of these composites were evaluated. The effect of loading on the cure characteristics and tensile properties were also evaluated. It is found that the loading dependence on the cure time and mechanical properties exhibit an identical pattern.

Magnetic and processability studies on rubber ferrite composites based on natural rubber and mixed ferrite

Polycrystalline single phasic mixed ferrites belonging to the series Ni1−xZnxFe2O4 for various values of x have been prepared by conventional ceramic techniques. Pre-characterized nickel zinc ferrites were then incorporated into a natural rubber matrix according to a specific recipe for various loadings. The processability and cure parameters were then determined. The magnetic properties of the ceramic filler as well as the ferrite loaded rubber ferrite composites (RFC) were evaluated and compared. A general equation for predicting the magnetic properties was also formulated. The validity of these equations were then checked and correlated with the experimental data. The coercivity of the RFCs almost resemble that of the ceramic component in the RFC. Percolation threshold is not reached for a maximum loading of 120 phr (parts per hundred rubber by weight) of the filler. These studies indicate that flexible magnets can be made with appropriate magnetic properties namely saturation magnetisation (Ms) and magnetic field strength (Hc) by a judicious choice of x and a corresponding loading. These studies also suggest that there is no possible interaction between the filler and the matrix at least at the macroscopic level. The formulated equation will aid in synthesizing RFCs with predetermined magnetic properties.

Template-Assisted Synthesis and Characterization of Passivated Nickel Nanoparticles

Potential applications of nickel nanoparticles demand the synthesis of self-protected nickel nanoparticles by different synthesis techniques. A novel and simple technique for the synthesis of self-protected nickel nanoparticles is realized by the inter-matrix synthesis of nickel nanoparticles by cation exchange reduction in two types of resins. Two different polymer templates namely strongly acidic cation exchange resins and weakly acidic cation exchange resins provided with cation exchange sites which can anchor metal cations by the ion exchange process are used. The nickel ions which are held at the cation exchange sites by ion fixation can be subsequently reduced to metal nanoparticles by using sodium borohydride as the reducing agent. The composites are cycled repeating the loading reduction cycle involved in the synthesis procedure. X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron microscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectrum, and Inductively Coupled Plasma Analysis are effectively utilized to investigate the different structural characteristics of the nanocomposites. The hysteresis loop parameters namely saturation magnetization and coercivity are measured using Vibrating Sample Magnetometer. The thermomagnetization study is also conducted to evaluate the Curie temperature values of the composites. The effect of cycling on the structural and magnetic characteristics of the two composites are dealt in detail. A comparison between the different characteristics of the two nanocomposites is also provided.

Effect of cycling on the magnetization of ion exchanged magnetic nanocomposite based on polystyrene

Magnetic nanocomposites containing iron oxide particles embedded in a polymer matrix have been synthesized using the method of ion exchange. They have been characterized by using low temperature and room temperature magnetic measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The iron content in these samples has also been determined. The results have been analysed and explained. The physical and chemical properties of these nanocomposite materials are different from those of the bulk. Some of the unique properties of these materials find application in information storage, color imaging, ferrofluids and magnetic refrigeration.

Processability, hardness, and magnetic properties of rubber ferrite composites containing manganese zinc ferrites

Abstract Rubber ferrite composites have the unique advantage of mouldability, which is not easily obtainable using ceramic magnetic materials. The incorporation of mixed ferrites in appropriate weight ratios into the rubber matrix not only modifies the dielectric properties of the composite but also imparts magnetic properties to it. Mixed ferrites belonging to the series of Mn(1 -x)Znx Fe2 O4 have been synthesised with different values of x in steps of 0·2, using conventional ceramic processing techniques. Rubber ferrite composites were prepared by the incorporation of these pre-characterised polycrystalline Mn(1 -x)ZnxFe2 O4 ceramics into a natural rubber matrix at different loadings according to a specific recipe. The processability of these elastomers was determined by investigating their cure characteristics. The magnetic properties of the ceramic fillers as well as of the rubber ferrite composites were evaluated and the results were correlated. Studies of the magnetic properties of these rubber ferrite composites indicate that the magnetisation increases with loading of the filler without changing the coercive field. The hardness of these composites shows a steady increase with the loading of the magnetic fillers. The evaluation of hardness and magnetic characteristics indicates that composites with optimum magnetisation and almost minimum stiffness can be achieved with a maximum loading of 120 phr of the filler at x=0 4. From the data on the magnetisation of the composites, a simple relationship connecting the magnetisation of the rubber ferrite composite and the filler was formulated. This can be used to synthesise rubber ferrite composites with predetermined magnetic properties.