A new class of ionic liquids with self-aggregation properties and magnetic activity have been recently reported. Due to the novel behaviour and potential applications, these magnetically active ionic liquid surfactants (MILS) have received much interest and international publicity. The aim of this proposal is to utilise contrast variation SANS (CV-SANS) to explore and describe the adsorption process of magnetic surfactants at the silica-water interface. The adsorption of MILSs onto solids from aqueous solutions represents a new application for these surfactants with the potential of forming novel functional surfaces. These magnetically functionalised particles will potentially allow a variety of interfacial processes such as facile separations and targeted delivery to be magnetically controlled.