Preparation of Novel Magnetic Polyurethane Flexible Foam Nanocomposites

Novel magnetic polyurethane flexible foam nanocomposites were synthesized by incorporation of modified magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles into polyurethane flexible foam. Core shell magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) Fe3O4@SiO2 were synthesized via co-precipitation and sol-gel methods and incorporated in the structure of the composites by in-situ polymerization of monomers in the presence of MNPs. The magnetic core-shell NPs were used up to 3.0% in the foam formulation and the optimum percentage was defined. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), vibrating sample magnetometery (VSM), thermo-mechanical analysis (TMA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The thermogravimetric analysis results showed an increased thermal stability of the polyurethane flexible foam nanocomposites by incorporation of magnetic core shell nanoparticles.