Synthesis of Zn_0.8Co_0.1Ni_0.1Fe₂O₄ polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposites via ultrasound-assisted emulsion liquid phase

Nanocomposites consisting of polyvinyl alcohol embedded with nanoparticles of Zn_0.80Co_0.1Ni_0.1Fe₂O₄ and ZnFe₂O₄ were successfully synthesized by employing a facile two-steps process. The nanoparticles of Zn_0.80Co_0.1Ni_0.1Fe₂O₄ and ZnFe₂O₄ were synthesized via a micro emulsion procedure and then embedded into a polyvinyl alcohol matrix by an ultrasound-assisted in-situ emulsion. The result showed that the prepared nanoparticles of Zn_0.80Co_0.1Ni_0.1Fe₂O₄ & ZnFe₂O₄ diffuse homogeneously in a polyvinyl alcohol matrix, maintaining the particle shape and size of the Zn_0.80Co_0.1Ni_0.1Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscope images revealed that polyvinyl alcohol chains have encircled the Zn_0.80Co_0.1Ni_0.1Fe₂O₄ & ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. The interaction between the polyvinyl alcohol and the nanoparticles in the prepared nanocomposites was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy via the shifting of bands revealed from the Fourier-transform infrared spectra. Dielectric studies explained the decreasing trend by varying concentrations of nanoparticles with a constant polymer concentration. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss both revealed a decreasing trend by varying the concentration of the nanoparticles with a constant polymer concentration. This occurred due to the grain boundary effect which becomes dominant at low frequencies. The Transmission electron microscope images result shows that polycrystalline Zn_0.80Co_0.1Ni_0.1Fe₂O₄ & ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles with an average size of 10–15 nm were incorporated with PVA to form nanocomposites.