Metal nanoparticle fluids with magnetically induced electrical switching properties.

We report the successful preparation of solvent-free metal nanoparticle (NP) fluids with multiple-functionalities, such as rheological properties, magnetism, ionic conductivity, and electrical properties, allowing for facile synthesis and mass production. The gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) used in this study were synthesized using tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOABr) in toluene and then directly phase-transferred to solvent-free low-molecular-weight (Mw) imidazolium-type ionic liquid media containing thiol groups (i.e., IL-SH). Magnetic metal fluids (i.e., MIL-SH-AuNPs) were prepared by the addition of FeCl3 powder to metal fluids (i.e., IL-SH-AuNPs). These fluids showed relatively high ionic and electrical conductivities compared with those of conventional metal NP fluids based on organic ILs with high Mw. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that these fluids could be used as electric switches operated using an external magnetic field in organic media.