“…Among the various magnetic particles, magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles are considered favorable magnetic fillers for rubbers owing to their high initial permeability, high saturation magnetization, and low coercivity. − However, unmodified Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles always show poor dispersion stability in rubbers, resulting in deterioration of the chemical properties and mechanical properties. , To improve the agglomeration and dispersion stability of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles, one of the most effective ways is to utilize polymers to modify the surface of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). − One available polymer is polystyrene (PS), which can improve the dispersion stability and functionality of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles . In addition, PS chains also have good compatibility with rubber matrices, such as styrene–butadiene rubber and nitrile-butadiene rubber, leading to a remarkable improvement in the mechanical properties of MRE composites. , Surface modification of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles with PS chains also helps avoid the introduction of compatibilizers such as zinc dimethacrylate (ZDMA), which reduces the chemical stability to acids and bases . Hence, incorporating PS-modified Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles into rubbers such as polybutadiene to obtain stimuli-responsive functional rubbers with toughness is of interest.…”