Iron oxide particles have strong magnetic properties. Effective dispersion of them in PDMS matrix yield composites that can undergo high strain under the magnetic field.
Safety[edit | edit source]
Due to use of chloroform and nanoparticles, every action that involve revealing these materials to the air must be done under fume hood.
Equipment or Bill of Materials[edit | edit source]
- Iron oxide Nanoparticles
- (polydimethylsiloxane)
- Chloroform
- Bath and ultrasound sonicator
Operation & Procedure[edit | edit source]
Depending on the determined nanoparticle concentration, appropriate weights should be measured.
- PDMS part A is measured in a vial. Chloroform is added to it, approximately at least 4-5 times of PDMS starting volume. (As an example, for a 5 gram PDMS, at least 20 ml of chloroform should be used.
- Iron oxide nanoparticle is added to a vial according to the determined concentration and initial PDMS weight. After adding chloroform, the vial is closed and wrapped with parafilm.
- Both PDMS-chloroform and Iron oxide-chloroform vials are bath sonicated for one hour seperately.
- The two vials are then mixed and the sonicated for another hour.
- Finally, the composite is mixture is put on hot plate and heated to evaporate the chloroform. The final remaining mixture of PDMS-iron oxide is then mixed with PDMS part B ans set for curing.