Alignment of magnetic clusters in polymer using Ar ion beam

Abstract

Free standing sheets of polyaniline and iron oxide (γ-Fe2O3)/polyaniline are synthesized by the solution casting method. The study describes the alignment of magnetic clusters in iron oxide/polyaniline nano-composite sheets using energetic argon (Ar) ions. The energy of the Ar ion was varied from 0.06 to 1.2 MeV and the fluence was varied from 1015 to 1017 ions cm−2. X-ray diffraction studies confirm that the single phase of γ-Fe2O3 has been retained in the composite sheets. The polyaniline free standing sheets do not show any structure. Clusters are observed in polyaniline/iron oxide nano-composite sheets using scanning electron microscopy. In addition to the dispersion of clusters, orientations of clusters have been observed. The observed increase in conductivity as a result of ion irradiation has been attributed to the formation of a carbonized phase and production of different chemical species. The magnetic properties of the composite samples, as a result of ion irradiation, remained unaffected.