In this research
work, γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticle
addition effect on final properties of citric acid-cross-linked poly(vinyl
alcohol) was studied. It was observed that citric acid, besides working
as a cross-linking agent for poly(vinyl alcohol), also acted as a
dispersant agent for γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles.
This double role of citric acid has been proven to be very useful
for preparing magnetically responsive nanocomposites with a proper
filler dispersion. Infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis
showed that nanoparticle addition affected the chemical structure
of cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol), while swelling tests demonstrated
that for the highest 8 wt % nanoparticle content studied, the cross-linking
degree remarkably decreased as it was corroborated by dielectric relaxation
spectroscopy. Mechanical properties were improved by cross-linking
with citric acid, and results obtained for nanocomposites reflected
the reinforcing effect of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles
together with that on diminishing the cross-linking degree for the
highest nanoparticle content. Finally, γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles transferred their magnetic properties to studied
nanocomposites leading to hybrid materials with response to magnetic
fields.