High-temperature polymer based magnetoelectric nanocomposites

The use of polymer based magnetoelectric materials for sensing and actuation applications has been the subject of increasing scientific and technological interest. One of the drawbacks to be overcome in this field is to increase the temperature range of application above 100 degrees C. In this way, a nanocomposite material composed by a mixture of two aromatic diamines, 1,3-bis-2-cyano-3-(3 aminophenoxy)phenoxybenzene (diamine 2CN) and 1,3-bis(3-aminophenoxy)benzene (diamine 0CN) and CoFe2O4 (CFO) nanoparticles was designed, fabricated and successfully tested for high temperature magnetoelectric applications. Results revealed that CFO nanoparticles are well distributed within the 0CN2CN polymer matrix and that the addition of CFO nanoparticles does not significantly alter the polyimides structure. The magnetization response of the composite is determined by the CFO nanoparticle content. The piezoelectric response of the 0CN2CN polymer matrix (approximate to 11 pC N-1) and the maximum alpha(33) value (0.8 mV cm(-1) Oe(-1)) are stable over time and decrease only when the composite is subjected to temperatures above 130 degrees C. Strategies to further improve the ME response are also discussed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.