Magnetic Ionogels (MagIGs) Based on Iron Oxide Nanoparticles, Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), and the Ionic Liquid Trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium Dicyanamide

Magnetic ionogels (MagIGs) were prepared from organosilane-coated iron oxide nanoparticles, N-isopropylacrylamide, and the ionic liquid trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium dicyanamide. The ionogels prepared with the silane-modified nanoparticles are more homogeneous than ionogels prepared with unmodified magnetite particles. The silane-modified particles are immobilized in the ionogel and are resistant tonanoparticle leaching. The modified particles also render the ionogels mechanically more stable than the ionogels synthesized with unmodified nanoparticles. The ionogels respond to external permanent magnets and are therefore prototypes of a new soft magnetic actuator.