Synthesis and characterization of novel waterborne polyurethane nanocomposites with magnetic and electrical properties

The novel nanocomposites derived from waterborne polyurethane and nano-Fe3O4 (WPU/Fe3O4) have been successfully synthesized by in situ polymerization progress. The nano-Fe3O4 particles prepared by co-precipitation method were modified by using oleic acid (OA) to improve their compatibility with monomers. The chemical structures, morphology, thermal behavior, mechanical properties, magnetic properties and electrical properties of the WPU/Fe3O4 nanocomposites were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscope (AFM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and high resistance meter respectively. The results indicated that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles modified by oleic acid could be homogeneously dispersed in the WPU and the introduction of ones was obviously improving the thermal properties, magnetic properties and electrical properties of WPU/Fe3O4 nanocomposites. The resulting WPU/Fe3O4 nanocomposites would be having the potential applications in microwave absorption. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.