Ultrasonic-assisted synthesized iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NP)s were modified with biodegradable citric acid (CA) and ascorbic acid (AS) [vitamin C] as capping agents. The ultrasonication (US) was applied for the synthesis and modification process as an easy, safe and fast method. Dissolution/reprecipitation procedure was offered to recycle poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bottles and then, it has been focused on the preparation of PET nanocomposites (NC)s based on solution method via sonication agitation to disperse the Fe3O4, CA, AS NPs in the organic polymeric surrounding substance. Magnetic PET NCs with modified Fe3O4 NPs loading (1, 3, and 5wt%) were fully characterized and the effect of NPs was examined by focusing on four aspects: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal stability studies, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Also, flame retardant behaviors of the NCs were investigated. Achieved morphology pictures displayed the presence of well dispersed magnetic NPs in the polymer matrix at nano-scale. In this work after recycling of PET waste bottles, it was aim to have magnetic PET due to its various potential applications such as wastewater treatment, catalysts, biomedicine and drug delivery system and electromagnetic devises. It was also intention to show easy, time saving and safe way (US method) to have magnetic PET which was achieved. From the results it can be concluded that one can readily have good dispersion of magnetic NPs in the PET matrix.
Keywords: Ascorbic acid (vitamin C); Citric acid; Iron oxide; Nanocomposites; Poly(ethylene terephthalate); Ultrasound irradiations.
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