Preparation and Characterizations of Iron Oxide Nano Particles Reinforced Polymeric Thin Films

Abstract

Open Access Research Articlepolymeric materialsin order to enhance their applications as well as physico-chemical properties of the host polymer [10,11].Recently, chemically cross-linked poly (vinyl alcohol) and poly (2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) (PVA-PAMPS) films are effectively used in the mechanical devices, attributable to their biocompatibility and cost-effectiveness [12,13]. Notably, the PVA has been widely utilized in the fabrication of tablet coating, artificial tears, drug delivery and tissue replacement, owing to their specific characteristics of toxicologically safe, high oxygen permeability and biodegradability [14], conversely they possess very less mechanical stability. To overcome this major drawback, it should be chemically cross-linked / blended with other hydrophilic materials to acquire mechanically stable materials. Specifically, the PAMPS, a sulfonic acid acrylic monomer has high proton conductivity and well hydrated due to presence of sulfonic acid groups in its backbone, and they are effectively applied infuel cells, medical devices and actuators [7,15]. In order to improve their mechanical and thermal stabilities of these PVA and PAMPS polymers, they could be blended / chemically crosslinked for obtaining flexible, mechanically and thermally stable material [12,13]. Generally, the reinforcement of nano-particles into the polymer matrix enhances the mechanical, dimensional and thermal stabilities of the host polymer matrix. Very recently, Guo et al. [16] fabricated IONPs reinforced PVA composites with superior thermal stability, and the IONPs have robust interaction with the PVA matrices by hydrogen bonding between their hydroxyl groups.In this study, based on the above merits of IONPs in the polymer matrix, PVA/PAMPS / IONPs nano-composite films were fabricated by Thermally Induced Phase Separation technique. The major function of the IONPs is to enhance the thermomechanical properties, magnetic activity (superparamagtic) and dimensional stabilities of the PVA/PAMPS matrix. The physicothermal properties of the PVA/PAMPS/IONPs films were studied AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate the influence of Iron oxidenano-particles (IONPs) on the physico-chemical properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) -poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS) polymer matrix. The IONPs were synthesized from ferric chloride using NaBH 4 as reducing agent in distilled water, and the IONPs were characterized by FT-IR and TGA. Thinnano-composite films were fabricated by blending IONPs colloidal suspension with PVA / PAMPS solution by Thermally Induced Phase Separation technique. The reinforcement of the IONPs in the PVA / PAMPS matrix was also confirmed by FT-IR and TGA, and water uptake measurements revealed the hydrophilic nature of the IONPs. The cross-sectional and surface morphologies of the films were analyzed by High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy, and the results showed that the surface roughness of the films and size of the IONPs enhanced with respect to t...