Potential Implementation of Electronic Waste Based Magnetite Powder for Magnetorheological Elastomers

Abstract

This paper focuses on the preliminary characterization of alternative magnetic particles as a replacement for commercial carbonyl iron particles for magnetorheological elastomers (MREs). Magnetite powder (Fe3O4) can be found in electronic waste (E-waste), iron ore as well as toner waste. In this study, three types of powders namely electronic waste based ferrite powder, iron sand, and toner waste are characterized according to their size and morphology (SEM), chemical elements (EDAX), chemical compound (XRD) and magnetic properties (VSM). The results are used as considerations to choose the most suitable powders that could replace carbonyl iron. The average size of all powders types is about 1 to 50 microns and having irregular shapes. The highest content of magnetite (Fe3O4) compound is found in electronic waste based ferrite powders by referring to magnetite patterns (reference code: JCPDS 01-088-0315). Electronic waste based ferrite powder has the highest magnetic moments saturation of 92.9 emu/g compared the counterparts. Finally, electronic waste based ferrite powder appears to be the most potential materials for replacing the carbonyl iron.