Synthesis and characterization of a magnetic hybrid material consisting of iron oxide in a carboxymethyl cellulose matrix

A magnetic hybrid material (MHM), consisting of iron‐oxide nanoparticles (˜4 nm) embedded in sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na‐CMC) matrix was synthesized. The MHM synthesis process was performed in two stages. First, a precursor hybrid material (Fe(II)‐CMC) was synthesized from two aqueous solutions: Na‐CMC solution and FeCl2 solution. In the second stage, the precursor hybrid material was treated with H2O2 under alkaline conditions to obtain the MHM. The results obtained from X‐ray diffraction show that the crystalline structure of iron oxide into MHM corresponds to maghemite or magnetite phase. Conversely, the results obtained from Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy reveal that the polymeric matrix (Na‐CMC) preserves its chemical structure into the MHM. Furthermore, in FTIR spectra are identified two characteristic bands at 570 and 477 cm−1 which can be associated to maghemite phase. Images obtained by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and bright field scanning transmission electron microscope show that iron‐oxide nanoparticles are embedded in the Na‐CMC. Magnetic properties were measured at room and low temperature using a quantum design MPMS SQUID‐VSM magnetometer. Diagrams of magnetization versus temperature show that iron‐oxide nanoparticles embedded in Na‐CMC have a superparamagnetic‐like behavior. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013