Preparation and characterization of poly(ε-caprolactone)/Fe3O4 nanocomposites

Poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL)/Fe3O4 nanocomposites were prepared via solvent casting method. Microstructure, composition, and crystal structure of the nanocomposite were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The effects of the content of nano-Fe3O4 on PCL matrix non-isothermal and isothermal crystallization behavior were analyzed by differential scanning calorimeter and polarizing microscopy, respectively, and, the thermal stability of nanocomposites was tested by using thermogravimetric analyzer. The results revealed that Fe3O4 nanoparticles could be dispersed uniformly in PCL matrix. Crystal structure of the polymer matrix was not changed and a handful of nanoparticles has obvious nucleation effect, while excessive particles hindered the crystallization of PCL matrix. However, the thermal decomposition stability of nanocomposites decreased by the addition of Fe3O4 particles.