Fabrication and characterization of Fe 3 O 4 -reinforced PEG–PCL magnetic shape memory nanofibers

Abstract In this study, magnetic shape memory nanofibers based on PEG–PCL (1:1) reinforced with Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were produced using the electrospinning method. The structural properties of the nanofibers were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), while their surface morphologies were examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal properties were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), while magnetic behavior was assessed with a physical property measurement system (PPMS). XRD results indicated that Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed in the matrix, with an increased contribution from the magnetic crystal phase. FTIR indicated that the additive was integrated into the structure via physical interactions, without establishing chemical bonds with the polymer chains. Based on SEM and AFM images, the fiber diameters have grown significantly as the Fe 3 O 4 content has increased. TGA analyses indicate that the thermal stability of nanocomposites has increased, while DSC results demonstrate that as the filler amount increases, the degree of polymer crystallization decreases. Magnetic measurements have shown that saturation magnetization increases with dopant and that composites transition from diamagnetic to ferromagnetic behavior. It has also been found that nanofibers show shape memory properties when heated.