Fabrication and characterization of vapor grown carbon nanofiber/epoxy magnetic nanocomposites

Co₃O₄ nanoparticle‐decorated vapor‐grown carbon nanofiber (VGCNF) hybrid materials were successfully synthesized and served as nanofillers for preparing magnetic epoxy (EP) nanocomposites. The Co₃O₄‐decorated VGCNF (Co₃O₄‐VGCNF) and Co₃O₄‐VGCNF/EP nanocomposites were systematically and explicitly investigated by combined analytical techniques. The composition and phase structure of Co₃O₄‐VGCNF hybrid materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analyses. The morphology of Co₃O₄ was investigated using field‐emission scanning electronic microscopy (FE‐SEM). Results revealed the presence of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles firmly immobilized on VGCNF sidewalls. The tensile mechanical, thermomechanical, and magnetic properties of Co₃O₄‐VGCNF/EP nanocomposites were also investigated in detail. Results indicated that the tensile strength of Co₃O₄‐VGCNF/EP nanocomposites (filler = 0.5 wt%) improved by 44.6% compared with that of raw VGCNF/EP nanocomposites (filler = 0.5 wt%). Magnetization measurements revealed that Co₃O₄‐VGCNF/EP nanocomposites exhibited ferromagnetic behavior, and the saturation magnetization and coercivity of the nanocomposites with 2 wt% of Co₃O₄‐VGCNF were 0.055 emu g⁻¹ and 0.75 kOe, respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1728–1734, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers