Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating onto magnetic nanoparticles induced by attractive electrostatic interaction

Abstract

In this article, we present an efficient synthesis pathway of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coated magnetic nanoparticles from hydrophilic polyacrylate coated ferrofluids (NPPAA). A block copolymer based on polydimethylsiloxane is selected for its propensity to interact with the carboxylate functions on the NPPAA. The interaction is due to negative charges on NPPAA and positive ones on the amphiphilic copolymer. The synthesis is achieved by interfacial interaction, simplifying the purification of the PDMS-coated nanoparticles (NPPDMS) from subproducts such as ions and water. NPPDMS are well dispersed in hydrophobic solvents (toluene, diethyl ether) and can then be embedded into a curable PDMS polymer.