Carbon coated Nickel Nanoparticles in Polyacrylamide Ferrogels: Interaction with Polymeric Network and Impact on Swelling

Abstract

Polyacrylamide ferrogels with embedded magnetic nanoparticles of metallic nickel (Ni) and nanoparticles of nickel coated with a carbon shell (Ni@C) were synthesized by radical polymerization in water. The effect of the carbon shell on the interaction of Ni and Ni@C nanoparticles with polyacrylamide matrix and on swelling ratio of the ferrogels has been studied. The deposition of carbon on the surface of Ni nanoparticles worsens their interaction with polyacrylamide but at the same time elevates the water uptake by ferrogels.