Magnetic Properties and Electrical Conductivity of NiFe2O4-MWNT/PVA Nanocomposite Films

Synthesis and characterization of NiFe2O4-MWNT/PVA nanocomposite films have been performed. NiFe2O4-MWNT as a filler of nanocomposite films was gained using a simple mixing method from an aquaeous solution containing Fe(NO3)(3).9H(2)O, Ni(NO3)(2).6H(2)O and MWNT. A wet paste-like filler was first characterized by Raman spectroscopy to confirm the presence of NiFe2O4 phase. Refering to the result of Raman spectra, it was known that nanocrystalline nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) have been successfully synthesized.The morphological investigations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopic (EDS) revealed that the filler has hair-like structure which correspond to the carbon nanotube with the results of atomic percentage ratio of Fe/Ni correspond to the phase formation of NiFe2O4. Nanocomposite films were made in 4 various concentrations (5, 10, 20, and 50 %vol filler) have been characterized in order to investigate their magnetic properties and electrical conductivity by using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and Inductance-Capacitance-Resistance (LCR) meter. Based on magnetization hysteresis curves, the variation of filler addition has increased the magnetic properties of nanocomposite samples from diamagnetic into paramagnetic. It was also known that the electrical conductivity enhanced align with the increasing consentration of the filler in nanocomposite films.