Core/Shell Polystyrene/Magnetite Hybrid Nanoparticles Fabricated by Pickering Emulsion Polymerization and Their Magnetorheological Response.

Abstract: Soft‐magnetic polystyrene (PS)/Fe3O4 core/shell composite nanoparticles are fabricated by surfactant‐free Pickering emulsion polymerization using Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a solid stabilizer. The morphology of the synthesized PS/Fe3O4 particles consisting of a PS surface coated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles is examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The thermal properties of Fe3O4 and PS/Fe3O4 are examined by thermogravimetric analysis, while the chemical bonding and composition of the nanocomposite are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The magnetorheological (MR) properties of the PS/Fe3O4 composite nanoparticles dispersed in silicone oil are analyzed using a rotational rheometer under an external magnetic field. The PS/Fe3O4‐based MR fluids exhibit typical MR properties and a lower density compared to Fe3O4 nanoparticles, indicating the improved dispersion stability of the MR fluid compared to that of the Fe3O4 nanoparticle‐based MR fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]