Computer-controlled electromagnetic control and image capture system for alignment of magnetic graphene nanofillers in epoxy composites

Although polymer nanocomposites have attracted much attention, their bulk application is limited due to poor manufacturing scalability while maintaining organized microstructures. Active assembly of nanoparticles using magnetic fields is a promising nano-manufacturing method, as it allows control of alignment direction, is inexpensive, non-damaging, scalable and allows organization of fillers by inter-particle motions. This paper describes the design of an automated image capture and magnetic control system to study the alignment of magnetic graphene nanoparticles in an epoxy matrix by applying a low magnetic field (similar to 100 mT) and by the automatic image capture of magnetization effects through an optical microscope. This system can continuously observe the alignment process, providing more accurate information about the behavior of the nanoparticle orientation compared to a manual method that only allowed observation of the sample after the experiment had been conducted. A better understanding of nanoparticle alignment could lead to the development of composites with oriented carbon-based nanoparticle structures.