Bioinspired Functionally Graded Nanocomposites Synthesized Through Magnetophoretic Processes for Tailored Stress Reduction

ABSTRACTThrough a unique combination of magnetophoretic and photopolymerization processes, approximately 150 μm thick functionally graded films based on a UV-curable matrix and containing Fe3O4@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles are synthesized. Owing to their continuous composition gradients and to the considerable variations in elastic modulus (up to ≈70 %) when going from particle-depleted to particle-enriched regions, such materials are highly efficient in reducing the mechanical stress arising from thermal variations, therefore improving the material efficiency towards durability and delamination problems.