Synthesis, physical and magnetic properties of BaFe12O19/P(VDF-TrFE) multifunctional composites

Composite films with filler microparticles of Barium ferrite dispersed within P(VDF-TrFE) as polymeric matrix have been prepared by solvent evaporation. The lowest BaFO content of 1% wt acts as a small defect within the polymeric matrix, reducing the values of the dielectric and mechanical properties of the pure P(VDF-TrFE). For filler contents up to a 20%, the BaFO filler reinforces the matrix and measured properties increase their values. This trend is not followed by the electrical conductivity. We extended the study to fibers composed by BaFe12O19 microparticles in a PVDF matrix. Due to the big size of BaFO particles (1 micron in diameter), proper fabrication of the fiber shaped composites has not been achieved. We found that true BaFO content are always lower than nominal ones. Results are discussed in terms of the influence of size and morphology of the BaFO particles on the initial properties of the polymeric matrix.

We wish to thak Dr. I. Gil de Muro for TEM images. Technical and human support for magnetic measurements provided by SGIker (UPV/EHU, MICINN, GV/EJ, ESF) is gratefully acknowledged. J. M. Barandiarán and J. Gutiérrez want to thank financial support from the Basque Government Industry Department under Project Actimat, (ETORTEK Program). This work was supported by FEDER through the COMPETE Program and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Project PEST-C/FIS/UI607/2011 and the project Matepro – Optimizing Materials and Processes”, ref. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000037”, co funded by the “Programa Operacional Regional do Norte” (ON.2 – O Novo Norte), under the “Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional” (QREN), through the “Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional” (FEDER). The authors also thank FCT for financial support under project PTDC/CTM-NAN/112574/2009. P. Martins, R. Gonçalves and V.Sencadas acknowledges also support from FCT (SFRH/BPD/96227/2013, SFRH/BD/88397/2012, SFRH/BPD/64958/2009 grants respectively).