LAUSR

Abstract Cathodic electrodeposition (CED) was applied in synthesis of undoped and zinc (Zn) doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Changes in the lattice structure of nanoparticles were monitored using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) supported by dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Detailed analyses explored the formation of ZnxFe3–xO4 nanoparticles with x ≈ 0.1, and relatively low coercivity and remanence of 11.71 Oe and 0.36 emu/g, respectively, demonstrating adequate superparamagnetic degree of Zn2+-doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Epoxy nanocomposites containing undoped and Zn2+-doped Fe3O4 were prepared at very low amount of nanoparticles (0.1 wt.% based on 100 parts by weight of epoxy) and subjected to nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at different heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C/min. Analyses based on Cure Index criterion were edivent that curability behavior of epoxy/amine systems was changed from Poor to Good state of cure by substitution of Zn2+ cations in Fe2+ sites in the Fe3O4 lattice. Nevertheless, curing state of epoxy nanocomposite was Poor at 20 °C/min regardless of nanoparticle type, which was inferred on account of progressive curing reaction of epoxy that expedited gelation and made crosslinking pertinent to diffusion.