Synthesis, characterization and impedance spectroscopy study of magnetite/epoxidized natural rubber nanocomposites

The magnetite (Fe3O4) particles were synthesized in situ in the presence of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) to produce the various Fe3O4/ENR nanocomposites. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the existence of Fe3O4 particles in the composites. The FTIR and DSC studies suggested that no chemical interactions between the particles and the matrix. The SEM and X-mapping micrographs revealed that the Fe3O4 particles were distributed within the ENR matrix. The ENR matrix exerts control on the Fe3O4 particles with a size of <20 nm in the composites. The Fe3O4 particles also affect the electrical properties of the composites. Impedance spectroscopy studies show that the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites increases with the increase in Fe3O4 loading in the composite. The equivalent circuit for the Fe3O4/ENR nanocomposites is proposed and discussed.

► The Fe3O4/ENR nanocomposites have not been synthesized and reported.
► Nanocomposites were obtained via in situ synthesis of Fe3O4 in the presence of ENR.
► The use of ENR enabled control of the size of Fe3O4 particles to <20 nm.
► Conductivity of the nanocomposites increases with the increase in Fe3O4 loading.
► The equivalent circuit for the nanocomposites is proposed and discussed.