ZrO2/PEG hybrid nanocomposites synthesized via sol–gel: Characterization and evaluation of the magnetic properties

A sol-gel process was used to synthesize class I organic-inorganic nanocomposite materials consisting of an inorganic ZrO2 matrix in which different percentages of polyethylene glycol (PEG) were incorporated. The formation of hydrogen bonds among the organic and inorganic components was proved by means of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis and confirmed by solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis highlighted the amorphous nature of the synthesized materials. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with Back-Scattered Electron Detector (BSED) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis showed that these materials have homogeneous morphology and nanostructured nature. Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometry confirmed the expected diamagnetic character of these compounds. The measured diamagnetic susceptibility values, which increase with PEG amount and are independent from temperature, make these hybrid materials potentially suitable to be synthesized in magnetic levitation under microgravity conditions.