Evaluation of molecular transport mechanism and interfacial interactions in doped ferrite rubber composites

Nickel ferrites (NIFs) come under the class of soft ferrites or transformer ferrites, which are highly demanding in the electronics industry and possess usual low conductivity and ferromagnetic properties, which results in decreased eddy current losses, good electrochemical stability, catalytic action, and abundance in nature. We discuss the synthesis, characterization, and impact of synthesized NIF fillers on the mechanical and solvent transport characteristics of rubber composites. Doped ferrite composites made of natural rubber and nitrile rubber were cured at various temperatures, and the solvent swelling properties of composites containing differently doped NIFs were examined in aromatic solvents like toluene. Properties of both rubber composites were examined, including their morphology, solvent uptake, diffusion coefficient, transport mechanism, and thermal stability. Natural rubber composites found to have better swelling properties than that of nitrile rubber composites. The solvent uptake was reduced with increase in filler loading also, the increase in sorption temperature increases the swelling rate in both systems. Theoretical calculations and modelling clearly state that the diffusion mechanism is due to the polymer swelling as well as polymer relaxation.