Mechanical characterization of magnetic nanowire–polydimethylsiloxane composites

One-dimensional magnetic nanowires have been introduced into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to form polymer based nanocomposites. In contrast to the conventional nanofillers such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, nanoparticles, and layer-structured materials, these well-defined anisotropic metallic nanowires are highly conductive and have much weaker van der Waals interactions. Moreover, composition modulation can be introduced along the wire axis to achieve multifunctionalities. Incorporation of magnetic segment(s) to the nanowire makes it possible to use external magnetic field to manipulate the distribution and alignment of nanowires when they are suspended in liquids. To characterize the mechanical responses of the nanowire-elastomer composite, an approach using microscale rulers has been developed to improve the resolution of strain measurement. Mechanical strengthening effects in PDMS composites with randomly and aligned nickel nanowires have been investigated.