Title: Impact of thermal treatment and magnetic field on the dynamic mechanical behavior of polyacrylonitrile nanofibers with embedded magnetic ferrite nanoparticles
Authors: Baran Sarac, Viktor Soprunyuk, Eray Yuce,Selin Gumrukçu,Wilfried Schranz and A. Sezai Sarac
DOI: 10.1039/d5ma00349k
Date: 2025-06-20
Working Group: WG3
Grant Period: 1st Grant Period (publications dated from 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023)
Grant Period Goal (number): GAPG-1
Covered deliverables from the MoU (number): M36,M42
Countries involved: Austria,Turkiye
Number of female/young/ITC coauthors: 1 female co-author ,2 young co-authors ,2 co-authors from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC).
Is the publication open access?: Yes
Is the publication co-lead by a YRI?: No
Abstract: Electrospun ferrite–polymer nanofiber composites exhibit an exclusive combination of electronic and
material properties and tailorable functionalities. An incorporation of (cobalt) ferrite nanofillers to the
polyacrylonitrile (PAN) matrix was corroborated by X-ray diffraction, where the systematic and organized
arrangement of inorganic components was achieved through non-covalent bonding upon electrospinning,
as proven by the energy dispersive X-ray attached to scanning electron microscopy. These
nanomaterials exhibit the intrinsic electronic characteristics of the polymers due to the p-electron
system of the CRN group with oxide particles, as revealed by Fourier transmission infrared
spectroscopy. By applying an external magnetic field during dynamic mechanical measurements under
tension, expecially for the PAN/CoFe2O4, remarkable increase in the glass transition (B16 K) and
activation energy (almost twice as high) along with a higher storage modulus are observed with the
application of magnetic field in comparison to standard PAN nanofiber samples to be attributed to the
magnetostrictive behavior of Co ferrite. The thermomechanical stability of the samples with
undetectable weight loss was ascertained by thermogravimetric analysis. These results demonstrate that
the nanofillers not only reinforce the polymer matrix but also introduce field-responsive mechanical
characteristics, highlighting their potential in sensing, actuation, and smart material applications.
