Ferrofluid mediated synthesis of nanomagnetic polymer materials in supercritical fluids

Nanomagnetic polymer materials (NPMs) offers broad spectrum of applications in diagnostics, drug delivery, environmental cleanup, sensors, actuators and electromagnetic interference. MPMS are routinely synthesized through reactive or non reactive routes in presence of solvents. A reactive route involves insitu-polymerization of monomers in presence of magnetic nanoparticles in suitable organic solvents .Whereas; a non reactive route involves infusion of magnetic nanoparticles into polymer matrix in presence of suitable organic solvents to afford the MPMs. However, the inherent tendency of agglomeration makes crucial to afford the MPMs with desired magnetic properties and functionality. The present talk shall demonstrate an overview on supercritical fluids and their application as an environmentally benign media for synthesis of NPMs through insitu polymerization of various monomers into siliconized ferrofluids (FF) in supercritical carbon dioxide (SCC). The methods of synthesis of two different kinds of NPMs based on a thermoplastic and a thermosetting matrix along with their comparative microstructures, morphologies and magnetic behaviours will be discussed. The outcome of study in perspective to the impact of FF on achieving enhanced dispersion of FNPS into thermoplastic and thermosetting matrix in SCC will be demonstrated through diverse micronalytical methods.