Fullerene-containing modifier of magnetoactive elastomer

Magnetoactive elastomer is a functional material whose properties are controlled by the parameters of the external magnetic field. A modifier that creates ordered structures with controlled nanoscale morphology is capable of intensifying the ability of a material to transfer charge.

The modifier was obtained by dissociating C₆₀ fullerene in eugenol at an elevated temperature in a water bath for 6 h. The fullerene content in the samples was 3.5 g/L. The preparation of 3 groups of modifier solutions to study their properties took 60 days. Two groups included solutions obtained through diffuse dissolution, one group - with an additional mechanical action. A study of rheological, optical and electrical conductivity properties was carried out to assess changes in the structure of the solutions. During the studies, thixotropic deposition of the air capsule was noted in some samples. To describe the hydraulic size of deposited objects, a nonlinear dependence is formulated. Spectral analysis of the solutions revealed differences in the optical properties of the samples obtained by various methods. The optical activity of those that have not been subjected to an additional impact is increasing over time. This causes a change in the solution structure and the conformation of the complexes of the solvent molecular structure and C₆₀. Ultimately, this leads to noticeable changes in electrical conductivity properties. The change in the resistivity values of some samples relative to the solvent is associated with the influence of the formed structural aggregation of fullerene molecules, as well as with several types of polarization interactions. Classification of the influence of conformational and electronic characteristics of solvent molecules made it possible to systematize the factors influencing the solvent dissolving ability. The formation of non-centrosymmetric structures in solutions in the form of fractal aggregates of dissociated fullerene was noted. The approach to describing the model for the formation of a cluster structure is based on the principle of increasing the fractional dimension during the dissociation process. Aggregation, limited by diffusion processes, proceeds to limit the reaction rate; at the final stage, spatial limitation dominates.

Studying the molecular dynamics of aggregates formation in various solutions allows improved understanding the principles of a fractal structure formation. The results obtained will be used in the development of conductive functional polymers with controlled properties.