Structure, micromechanical and magnetic properties of polycarbonate nanocomposites

The current study evaluates the applicability of polycarbonate (PC) for development of magnetic polymer nanocomposites with CoFe2O4 nanofiller, the amount of which was changed from 0 to 5 wt. %. Ethylene-vinyl acetate elastomer in the amount of 10 wt. % was added as toughener. Upon introduction of the magnetic filler a magnetic hysteresis loop was observed: at 5 wt.% of CoFe2O4 saturation magnetization of the nanocomposite was 2,2 emu/g, remanent magnetization was 0,8 emu/g and coercivity is 1200 G. Nanoindentation tests showed that nanofiller-reinforced samples maintain reasonable plasticity characterized by work of plastic indentation, while their modulus and hardness were improved by up to 14% and 20%, correspondingly. Structural study revealed clustering of the nanofiller at the contents above 2 wt.% that led to reduction of strengthening effect.