Synthesis and Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites with Tunable Electromagnetic Response

....................................................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1: Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1 1.1 General Introduction ........................................................................................... 1 1.2 Motivation Behind Research ............................................................................. 2 1.3 Organization of Thesis ........................................................................................ 4 Chapter 2: Fundamental Aspects of Magnetism .......................................................... 7 2.1 Magnetic Domains ................................................................................................ 7 2.2 Diamagnetism ........................................................................................................ 9 2.3 Paramagnetism ..................................................................................................... 9 2.4 Ferromagnetism .................................................................................................. 10 2.5 Antiferromagnetism ........................................................................................... 12 2.6 Ferrimagnetism ................................................................................................... 13 2.7 Superparamagnetism/Single Domain......................................................... 14 Chapter 3: Synthesis of Ferrite Nanoparticles and Their Polymer ..................... 17 Nanocomposites .............................................................................................. 17 3.1 Nanoparticle Synthesis Methods .................................................................. 17 3.1.1 Chemical Co-Precipitation .............................................................. 18 3.1.2 Microemulsion ..................................................................................... 19 3.1.3 Solvothermal ....................................................................................... 22 3.1.4 Thermal Decomposition .................................................................. 22