Magneto-Dielectric Polymer Nanocomposites and Method of Making
In accordance with the present invention, novel superparamagnetic magneto-dielectric polymer nanocomposites are synthesized using a novel process. The tunability of the dielectric/magnetic properties demonstrated by this novel polymer nanocomposite, when an external DC magnetic field is applied, exceeds what has been previously reported for magneto-dielectric polymer nanocomposite materials.
1 . A superparamagnetic low-loss polymer nanocomposite comprising magnetic nanoparticles coated with a surfactant and substantially uniformly dispersed in a low-loss polymer.
2 . The superparamagnetic low-loss polymer nanocomposite of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles are Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles.
3 . The superparamagnetic low-loss polymer nanocomposite of claim 2 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles are Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles having an average size of approximately 8 nm.
4 . The superparamagnetic low-loss polymer nanocomposite of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles are CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles.
5 . The superparamagnetic low-loss polymer nanocomposite of claim 4 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles are CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles having an average size of approximately 10 nm.
6 . The superparamagnetic low-loss polymer nanocomposite of claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is oleylamine.
7 . The superparamagnetic low-loss polymer nanocomposite of claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is oleic acid.
8 . The superparamagnetic low-loss polymer nanocomposite of claim 1 , wherein the low-loss polymer is about 25% butadiene resin and copolymer dissolved in xy-lene.
9 . A method for preparing a polymer nanocomposite, useful as a superparamagnetic low-loss material, comprising the steps of:
coating magnetic nanoparticles with surfactants;
dissolving a low-loss polymer and the coated magnetic nanoparticles in hexane; and
magnetically stirring the dissolved low-loss polymer and coated magnetic nanoparticles to obtain a polymer nanocomposite having substantially uniform dispersion.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles are Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles are Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles having an average size of approximately 8 nm.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles are CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles are CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles having an average size of approximately 10 nm.
14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the surfactant is oleylamine.
15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the surfactant is oleic acid.
16 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the low-loss polymer is about 25% butadiene resin and copolymer dissolved in xy-lene.
17 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles comprises a plurality of individual magnetic nanoparticles and wherein coating the magnetic nanoparticles with surfactants further comprises substantially completely encapsulating and isolating each of the individual magnetic nanoparticles.
18 . A superparamagnetic low-toss polymer nanocomposite material produced according to the process of claim 9 .
19 . The superparamagnetic low-loss polymer nanocomposite material of claim 18 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles are Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles.
20 . The superparamagnetic low-loss polymer nanocomposite material of claim 18 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles are CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles.