Magnetoactive elastomer based on superparamagnetic nanoparticles with Curie point close to room temperature

TL;DR

This study develops a magnetoactive elastomer with superparamagnetic nanoparticles that exhibit tunable magnetoelastic properties near room temperature, enabling smart device applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel MAE with nanoparticles having a Curie point close to room temperature and thoroughly investigates its magnetoelastic behavior and mechanisms.

Findings

Magnetoelastic properties vanish above Curie temperature

Magnetoelasticity is restored below Curie temperature

MAE exhibits superparamagnetic behavior with low coercivity

Abstract

A magnetoactive elastomer (MAE) consisting of single-domain La0.8Ag0.2Mn1.2O3 nanoparticles with a Curie temperature close to room temperature (TC = 308 K) in a silicone matrix has been prepared and comprehensively studied. It has been found that at room temperature and above, MAE particles are magnetized superparamagnetically with a low coercivity below 10 Oe, and the influence of magnetic anisotropy on the appearance of a torque is justified. A coupling between magnetization and magnetoelasticity has been also established. The mechanisms of the appearance of magnetoelasticity, including the effect of MAE rearrangement and MAE compression by magnetized particles, have been revealed. It has been found that the magnetoelastic properties of MAE have critical features near TC. The magnetoelastic properties of MAE disappear at T > TC and are restored at T < TC. This makes it possible to use MAE at room temperature as a smart material for devices with self-regulating magnetoelastic properties.