Structural and magnetic behavior evaluation of Mg–Tb ferrite/polypyrrole nanocomposites

Nanocrystalline Mg0.96Tb0.04Fe2O4 spinel ferrite was prepared by the co-precipitation technique. The polypyrrole was synthesized by in situ polymerization method. The nanocomposites were fabricated by mixing the Mg0.96Tb0.04Fe2O4 ferrite nanomaterials with polypyrrole polymer. The structural, morphological and magnetic properties of nanoferrite powder and nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results of XRD revealed that the small concentrations of terbium ions are successfully incorporated into the spinel lattice. The intensity of the most intense peak increases with the increase of ferrite contents while its broadening is decreased. FTIR spectra demonstrated that there are interactions between ferrite particles and polypyrrole. SEM showed that the nanocomposites have core shell structure and inhomogeneous grain size distribution. Under the influence of applied magnetic field these nanocomposites displayed hysteresis loops which unfold the ferromagnetic behavior. The magnetic parameters such as saturation magnetization and coercivity of nanocomposites are affected by the increased concentration of ferrite particles. The magnetic parameters of nanocomposites are tailored by controlling the ferrite contents. Super paramagnetic behavior of two compositions (FP1=25% ferrite and FP2=50%) suggested that these ferrite/polymer composites may be recommended for the hyperthermia applications.