Characterization of a Magnetic Hybrid Film Fabricated by the In-Situ Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles into Ethyl Cellulose Polymer

This study deals with the fabrication and characterization of a magnetic hybrid film, IONP/EC, comprised of iron oxide nanoparticles and ethyl cellulose. Its manufacture followed two steps: the fabrication of a precursor hybrid film, and its alkaline treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated a successful in-situ synthesis of IONPs in the EC matrix. Furthermore, through vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), the magnetic and viscoelastic properties of the film were characterized, respectively. Using XRD analysis, the crystalline structure of IONPs showed to be an iron oxide hydroxide phase. Although it cannot be dismissed other phases, such as maghemite and magnetite. FTIR results revealed that the EC matrix preserved its chemical structure. Images obtained by HRTEM evidenced quasi-spherical IONPs embedded into the EC matrix with an average particle size of 2.4 nm. The IONP/EC film exhibited a superparamagnetic-like behavior, showing a blocking temperature at 20 K. After TGA analysis, IONPs slightly impacted the thermal stability of the EC matrix. Finally, DMA results revealed a modification on the structural relaxation phenomena of EC, which arose from the presence of IONPs in the matrix.