News

Durham scientists create world’s first practical plastic magnet

(1 October 2004)

After almost four years of groundbreaking materials research, a team of scientists at Durham University has developed the world’s first practical plastic to exhibit magnetism at room temperature.

The Organic Electroactive Materials research group, led by Prof. Andy Monkman and colleagues Dr. Naveed Zaidi, Mr. Sean Giblin and Dr. Ian Terry, all of the Department of Physics, have conducted experiments which detected magnetism in PANiCQ, a polymer they synthesised from polyaniline (PANi) and tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ).

The resulting material showed room temperature magnetic order. The polymer powder is magnetically soft and can be picked up by a strong magnet.

Organic magnets have been reported before but they have generally only worked at extremely low temperatures. The polymer material developed in Durham is magnetic at room temperature which represents a major scientific breakthrough.

This could have exciting practical applications in the field of magnetic recording industry and in medicine. For example, the Durham team thinks that organic magnetic materials could have roles in medical implants as the body is much more tolerant of plastic than metal.

However the team believes that, although the discovery is a significant development, the practical applications are still a long way off. They chose PANi because it is a metal-like electrical conductor that is stable in air. TCNQ was chosen because of its propensity to form stabilised free radicals. The researchers hope to use the new polymer to mimic the magnetic properties of conventional metallic magnets.

Initial measurements conducted upon the material did not show any significant magnetic behaviour. However believing strongly that the reaction between PANi and TCNQ would take time to reach completion, the sample was stored in an air-tight container. After a period of few weeks it was tested again and the material had developed magnetic order.

Dr. Zaidi said that although the polymer’s magnetism is currently not as strong as that of conventional metal magnets, the research team is confident that they can improve it.

“The reaction is not yet 100 per cent efficient. Once we optimise it, the overall strength will certainly increase. The nature of the polymer synthesis means that magnetic properties could effectively be made to measure,” says Dr Zaidi.

The development of plastic magnetic materials enhances Durham University’s reputation as a centre for research excellence. The project was funded in part by Durham County Council and is another example of regional funding stimulating exciting research work that can be exploited commercially.

The accompanying photograph shows members of the Durham University Organic Electroactive Materials research group (left to right) Mr. Sean Giblin, Prof. Andy Monkman, Dr. Naveed Zaidi and Dr. Ian Terry.

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For further information contact : Dr Naveed Zaidi, Research Fellow, University of Durham Department of Physics, Tel 0191 334 3558.

Media enquiries : Tom Fennelly, Public Relations Office, University of Durham, Tel 0191 334 6078 e-mail : t.p.fennelly@durham.ac.uk.