Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of CuFe2O4 Nanoparticles and Starch-Based Magnetic Nanocomposites

Magnetic CuFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by a facile microwave-assisted reaction between Cu(NO3)2 and Fe(NO3)3. The magnetic nanoparticles were added to starch to make magnetic polymeric nanocomposite. The nanoparticles and nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic properties of the samples were investigated using an alternating gradient force magnetometer (AGFM). The copper ferrite nanoparticles exhibited ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature, with a saturation magnetization of 29emu/g and a coercivity of 136 Oe. The distribution of the CuFe2O4 nanoparticles into the polymeric matrixes decreases the coercivity (136 Oe to 66 Oe). The maximum coercivity of 82 Oe was found for 15% of CuFe2O4 distributed to the starch matrix.