A unique approach for lightweight multifunctional composites was developed using Fe3O4 nanoparticles and polypyrrole-coated Fe3O4 particles as fillers. Fe3O4 particles are a good candidate for filler in a multifunctional composite system because they can reinforce mechanical properties of a polymer matrix and impart magnetic properties into a composite. Polypyrrole coating on Fe3O4 particles was utilized to incorporate electrical conductivity to the properties of composites. The effects of filler size and filler content were studied on both the mechanical and electromagnetic properties. Fe3O4 nanoparticles improved fracture toughness, but they compromised strength and modulus. Polypyrrole-coated Fe3O4 has potential for multifunctional material applications because the coating allows for concurrent increase in magnetic permeability and electrical conductivity in a composite. The polypyrrole coating also improved the strength of the composite. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were a major part of this work from their synthesis to their application in composites. The surface effect on magnetic properties was analyzed for Fe3O4 nanoparticles, resulting in a more accurate calculation of the magnetically dead layer thickness than previously reported. The results from this work contributed to further understanding of synthesis and characterization of magnetic nanoparticles, fabrication and characterization of nanocomposites, and design and development of lightweight multifunctional materials. Although the properties of the fabricated composites require further improvement, the methodology and approach provide a basis for future work in development of lightweight multifunctional composites.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Renato Altobelli Antunes / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nanociências e Materiais Avançados, Santo André, 2018. / Filmes de polímeros condutores podem agir como inibidores anódicos, acelerando e estabilizando a formação de óxidos protetores na superfície de materiais metálicos. O polipirrol é um polímero condutor com boa estabilidade química, ampla faixa de condutividade elétrica, baixo custo e fácil síntese. O fosfato de estrôncio é uma cerâmica bioativa, a qual estimula o crescimento de tecidos adjacentes ao redor de dispositivos implantáveis, promovendo seu ancoramento. No presente trabalho, revestimentos de polipirrol (PPy) com concentrações de 0,1 M e 0,5 M, fosfato de estrôncio e uma camada composta por um filme intermediáriao de polipirrol e uma camada externa de fosfato de estrôncio (revestimento duplex) foram eletrodepositados sobre a superfície do aço inoxidável cirúrgico ISO 5832-1. O objetivo foi investigar o efeito sobre o comportamento de corrosão deste aço nas condições descritas. A caracterização do comportamento eletroquímico foi feita por espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica e polarização potenciodinâmica. Os ensaios foram conduzidos em solução de PBS (phosphate buffered solution) a 37ºC. A morfologia dos revestimentos foi avaliada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. A composição química da camada de fosfato de estrôncio foi avaliada por EDS (espectroscopia de dispersão de energia de raios-X). A composição dos filmes poliméricos e do fosfato de estrôncio foi analisada por XPS (espectroscopia de fotoelétrons excitados por raios-X). Os resultados indicaram a formação de filmes poliméricos homogêneos e com composições similares. A camada de fosfato de estrôncio foi depositada uniformemente e apresentou um aspecto granular. Os ensaios eletroquímicos mostraram um comportamento mais capacitivo para o revestimento duplex-0,5 M apresentando maior resistência à corrosão. / Conductive polymeric films can act as anodic inhibitors, accelerating and stabilizing the formation of protective oxide films on metallic materials. Polypyrrole is a conducting polymer with good chemical stability, wide range of electrical conductivity, low cost and simple synthesis. Strontium phosphate is a bioactive ceramic, witch improves the adjacent tissue growth around the implantable device promoting its anchorage. In the present work, polypyrrole with concentrations of 0.1 M and 0.5 M, strontium phosphate and a bilayer consisting of an intermediate polypyrrole film and strontium phosphate topcoat (duplex coating) were deposited by electrodeposition on the surface of ISO 5832-1 surgical stainless steel substrate. The objective was to investigate the effect on the corrosion behavior of the ISO 5832-1 steel under the described conditions. The characterization of the electrochemical behavior was made by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization. The tests were conducted on PBS (phosphate buffered solution) at 37ºC. The morphology of the coatings was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy The chemical composition of the strontium phosphate layer was evaluated by EDS (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry). The polymeric and strontium phosphate films compositions were evaluated by XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy). The results showed the formation of a homogeneous film and similar compositions. The strontium phosphate layer was deposited equally and showed a granular morphology. The electrochemical tests showed a more capacitive behavior for the duplex-0,5 M coating, which presented higher corrosion resistance.