Sustainable Magnetochromic Flexible Composites for Advanced Optical Sensing and Smart Applications.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Traditional magnetochromic materials often involve hazardous synthesis routes and non-renewable resources.
• There is a growing demand for sustainable and flexible materials in sensing and electronics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop sustainable, flexible magnetochromic (MC) materials using green synthesis and recycled waste.
• To integrate Fe3O4 (FO) and CoFe2O4 (CFO) nanoparticles with thermochromic (TC) pigments and poly-(vinyl alcohol) (PVA).
• To explore the potential of these materials in eco-friendly printed electronic devices.

Main Methods:

• Green synthesis of Fe3O4 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles.
• Recycling of NdFeB (ND) swarf from magnet waste.
• Integration of nanoparticles and TC pigments into a flexible PVA polymer matrix.
• Characterization of magnetochromic properties under an alternating magnetic field.

Main Results:

• Successful development of transparent, flexible MC materials.
• Fast color change (red to gray) observed within 3-5 seconds under a 200 Oe, 100 kHz magnetic field.
• Demonstration of eco-friendly printing capabilities for the developed materials.

Conclusions:

• The developed MC materials offer a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for sensing applications.
• The use of green synthesis and recycled waste aligns with environmental responsibility goals.
• These materials are suitable for flexible electronics, smart textiles, and advanced optical sensors.