In Situ and Partial In Situ Synthesis of Cellulose Magnetite/Maghemite Composites

Abstract

The current study aims to prepare ferromagnetic iron oxides (magnetite and/or maghemite) using the coprecipitation method of an iron salt in a basic environment stimulated by ultrasound, with cellulose added at the start of the synthesis and after 15 min in order to perform an in situ and partial in situ synthesis. The structures, morphology, and properties of composites are analyzed by IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, TGA, DSC, and magnetic measurements. The cumulative effect of the ultrasonic waves is observed by a reduction in the degree of crystallinity of the native cellulose compared to the composites (from 73.2 to 36.4, respectively 38.3). The vibrating sample magnetic measurement shows a single hysteresis curve characteristic of ferromagnetic materials with superparamagnetic properties.