Abstract
Embedding magnetic nanoparticles into soft host media offers the opportunity to externally control material properties via a magnetic field. Choosing a hydrogel as the host medium allows modification of not only the elastic properties, but also the degree of swelling of the gel and the shape changes of the sample. Hydrogels where magnetic nanoparticles serve as the only crosslinking reagent of the network are a promising new class of such stimuli-responsive gels. The well-defined magneto-mechanical coupling present in these materials should allow for a better understanding and optimization of field-induced changes.
Highlights
Stimuli-responsive so matter systems constitute a fascinating class of materials with promising applications in various elds
Magnetic gels are a fascinating class of stimuli responsive materials
The situation has changed substantially with the new class of magnetic hydrogels presented in ref. 26–28
Summary
Open Access Article. Published on 19 February 2013. Downloaded on 10/5/2020 2:19:33 PM. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. Received 7th December 2012 Accepted 30th January 2013 DOI: 10.1039/c3sm27809c www.rsc.org/softmatter
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