PREPARATION OF NANOSCALE IRON AND FE3O4 POWDERS IN A POLYMER MATRIX

The synthesis of the title matrix-mediated nanocomposite was performed in both poly(4-vinylpyridine) homopolymer and vinylstyrene-4-vinylpyr idine copolymers. NH2-NH2 was used as the reducing agent to prepare th e polymer-supported metallic particles which were later converted into fine oxide powders by oxidation. The structure and morphology of the products were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide angle X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy as well as electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis and magnetic measurements. The wide angle X-ray diffraction patterns contained reflections that could be assigned to Fe3O4 particles while no reflections were observe d that correspond to ultrafine iron powders. The magnetization behavio ur of the nanocomposite was determined by the degree of loading of Fe in the polymer matrix.