Alginate functionalized MFe₂O₄ (MNi, Co) nanoparticles and hydrated salt incorporated flexible PVDF ternary nanocomposite fibers for magnetoelectric applications

Abstract Magnetoelectric (ME) polymer nanocomposites find a wide range of applications as ME sensors, energy storage devices, magneto‐mechano‐electric nanogenerators, tissue engineering scaffolds, and so forth. Functionalizing ferrite fillers is an effective strategy to improve the ferrite‐polymer interaction and, thereby, the functional properties. In the present work, we developed ternary nanocomposite fibers of polyvinylidene fluoride loaded with hydrated salt and alginate functionalized ferrite nanoparticles. Nanocomposites with functionalized ferrite fillers were found to have better dielectric and ME properties. The highest values of dielectric constant (14.7) and ME coupling coefficient (18.2 mV cm −1 Oe −1 ) were obtained for ternary nanocomposite fiber with functionalized nickel ferrite nanoparticles. The present study opens new avenues for developing flexible ME nanocomposites for realizing flexible ME nanocomposites with the required properties for developing next‐generation devices for diverse applications.