Advancements in Fe۳O۴/PANI Nanocomposite Film Technology: Synthesis and Characterization

In this study, the synthesis of Fe۳O۴ /PANI nanocomposites is achieved by employing a spin coating technique, which involves the initial preparation of Fe۲O۳ from iron sand through magnetic separation and ball milling. The Fe۳O۴ precursor is then combined with polyaniline (PANI) at different concentrations (۳۰%, ۴۰%, ۵۰%, ۶۰%, and ۷۰%) using a sol-gel process. The resulting Fe۳O۴ /PANI gel mixture is spin-coated onto glass substrates and dried. The nanocomposite films undergo extensive characterization through X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Vibration Sample Magnetometry (VSM), and electrical measurements using an LCR meter. Our findings show a correlation between Fe۳O۴ concentrations and crystal size, observed as a decrease from ۳۰% to ۴۰%, an increase at ۵۰%, and a subsequent decrease from ۶۰% to ۷۰%. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirms the chemical bonding between Fe۳O۴ Fe۲O۳ and PANI. SEM images reveal the layer thickness varies with concentration, measured as ۵.۰۲ µm, ۱۶.۵۴ µm, ۱۷.۸۲ µm, ۱۹.۳۶ µm, and ۲۴.۴ µm, respectively. Electrical properties indicate resistance values of ۷.۳۶ mΩ, ۸.۳۸۸ mΩ, ۸.۱۰۱ mΩ, ۸.۵۳ mΩ, and ۳.۵۳ mΩ for the respective Fe۳O۴ concentrations, with corresponding capacitance values. This study elucidates the structural and electrical properties of Fe۳O۴ /PANI nanocomposites, highlighting their potential for diverse applications.