Stimuli-responsive hydrogels cross-linked by magnetic nanoparticles

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.