Superparamagnetic Composites: Magnetism with No Memory

The past five years have witnessed a renewed interest in the field of superparamagnetic composites driven by both the excitement of understanding individual and cooperative properties at the nanoscale and the potential for the use of such composites in catalysis, magneto‐optics, and specially bioscience, where new applications are emerging. The basis for the interest in superparamagnetic composites lies in the combination of superparamagnetic nanoparticles with matrixes of different nature. Superparamagnetic nanoparticles endow the composites with adequate magnetic functionality (guiding, monitoring, heating), while the matrixes improve stability (sedimentation, shielding), chemical functionality, and compatibility (hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity, toxicity,stealth). (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)