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Application of a Coupling Agent to Improve the Dielectric Properties of Polymer-Based Nanocomposites
Published on: September 19, 2020
Transparent large-strain thermoplastic polyurethane magnetoactive nanocomposites
Mitra Yoonessi1, John A Peck, Justin L Bail
1Ohio Aerospace Institute , Cleveland, Ohio, USA. mitra.yoonessi@nasa.gov
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|June 30, 2011
Summary
Magnetically responsive nanocomposites made from manganese iron oxide (MnFe(2)O(4)) and thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU) show large deformations. These superparamagnetic MnFe(2)O(4)/TPU films actuate significantly even at low nanoparticle concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU) are versatile polymers with tunable properties.
- Magnetic nanoparticles offer unique responses to external magnetic fields.
- Combining magnetic nanoparticles with elastomers can lead to novel smart materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize organically modified superparamagnetic MnFe(2)O(4)/TPU nanocomposites.
- To investigate the magnetic and actuation properties of these nanocomposites.
- To explore the potential of these materials for applications requiring magnetic field-induced deformation.
Main Methods:
- Solvent mixing and solution casting were used to prepare MnFe(2)O(4)/TPU nanocomposites with varying nanoparticle loadings (0.1-8 wt %).
- Organic modification of MnFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles ensured compatibility with the TPU matrix.
- Superparamagnetic properties and actuation behavior under a static magnetic field were evaluated.
Main Results:
- All nanocomposite films exhibited superparamagnetism, with saturation magnetization increasing with MnFe(2)O(4) content.
- Large deformations (>10 mm) were observed in the nanocomposite films under a magnetic field.
- Significant actuation was achieved at low nanoparticle loadings (0.1 wt %), with deformation increasing exponentially with concentration.
- The material demonstrated reproducible and controllable cyclic deformation in a low magnetic field.
- Nanocomposite films (0.1-2 wt %) showed transparency in the visible light spectrum (350-700 nm).
Conclusions:
- Organically modified MnFe(2)O(4)/TPU nanocomposites demonstrate efficient magnetic field-induced actuation.
- The study reports the first instance of large actuation in magnetic nanoparticle nanocomposites at low loading levels.
- An empirical correlation between displacement, magnetization, and nanoparticle loading was proposed.
- These transparent, superparamagnetic nanocomposites show promise for applications in soft robotics, sensors, and actuators.
