Preparation and characterization study of γ-Fe2O3/carbon composite nanofibers: electrospinning of composite fibers using PVP and iron nitrate as precursors

A gamma-Fe2O3/carbon nanofiber composite was prepared by electrospinning a mixed solution of iron nitrate nonahydrate (Fe(NO3)(3)center dot 9H(2)O) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with subsequent treatment under an Ar atmosphere. A morphology study of the gamma-Fe2O3/carbon nanofiber composite using FE-SEM, TEM, and AFM techniques confirms the formation of randomly oriented carbon fibers that include gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles, along with an agglomeration in the fibrous environment and surface roughness of the fibers. Structural analysis from the XRD patterns showed that the synthesized sample was ferric oxide having a gamma phase tetragonal crystal structure and amorphous behavior of carbon. FT-IR spectroscopy further demonstrated the presence of functional groups corresponding to gamma-Fe2O3 and carbon in the gamma-Fe2O3/C structure. DRS spectra of the gamma-Fe2O3/C fibers indicate absorption peaks related to gamma-Fe2O3 and carbon in the gamma-Fe2O3/carbon composite. In view of the magnetic properties, the composite nanofibers showed a high saturation magnetization M-s of 53.55 emu g(-1).