Electrical and magnetic properties of poly(m-phenylenediamine)/NiFe2O4 nanocomposites

Poly(m-phenylenediamine) (PmPD)/NiFe2O4 nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ oxidative polymerization containing two different ratios of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles (10 and 20%). Dielectric studies of PmPD/NiFe2O4 nanocomposites were carried out at different temperature and frequency. Dielectric constants of PmPD/NiFe2O4 nanocomposites vary with the concentration of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles. Magnetic measurements of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles and PmPD/NiFe2O4 nanocomposites showed that they have ferromagnetic behaviour at room temperature. The XRD patterns of PmPD/NiFe2O4 nanocomposites are confirming the incorporation of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles into PmPD polymer. Room temperature Mössbauer spectrum of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles demonstrated that the Fe is in 3+ oxidation state with cubic structure. The SEM image of PmPD shows sphere like morphology. TGA suggest that thermal stability of PmPD/NiFe2O4 nanocomposites is greater than PmPD.