Magnetic, electrical and gas sensing properties of poly(o-phenylenediamine)/MnCoFe2O4 nanocomposites

A series of poly( o -phenylenediamine)/MnCoFe 2 O 4 nanocomposites containing varying concentrations of MnCoFe 2 O 4 were synthesized by in situ oxidative polymerization method. These nanocomposites were characterized by thermal, spectroscopic, microscopic techniques and dielectric properties analyzed at different temperature and frequency. X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectra are confirming the formation of poly( o -phenylenediamine)/MnCoFe 2 O 4 nanocomposites. The Mössbauer spectral data are indicating the inverse nature of MnCoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles. The ferromagnetic behavior of nanocomposites is ascertained with the hysteresis loops of MnCoFe 2 O 4 . Transmission electron microscopy results are giving good evidences for the deposition of MnCoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles on the poly( o -phenylenediamine) matrix and the modification of spherical morphology of poly( o -phenylenediamine) by MnCoFe 2 O 4 . The thermal stability of poly( o -phenylenediamine)/MnCoFe 2 O 4 nanocomposites is increasing with increase in the concentration of MnCoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles. Dielectric constant and AC conductivity of nanocomposites are varying with applied frequency, temperature and concentration of MnCoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles. The ethanol gas sensing ability of MnCoFe 2 O 4 has been improved by poly( o -phenylenediamine) matrix.