High-mechanical-strength ferrohydrogels with a magnetically dispersed phase as multifunctional crosslinkers

In this article, we report a facile strategy for preparing high-mechanical-strength ferrohydrogels containing magnetic nanoparticles homodispersed by a thermodynamically stable Pickering emulsion (PE). After the monomers were mixed with the PE, including methacryloxy propyl trimethoxyl silane emulsified by ferric oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles as the dispersed phase, hydrogels were synthesized by free-radical polymerization. In contrast to conventional hydrogels crosslinked by a molecular crosslinker, in our new approach, the magnetic PE particles served as individual, multifunctional crosslinkers. Characterizations of the swelling behavior, the mechanical properties, and other properties indicated that our ferrohydrogels exhibited outstanding physical performances that were superior to those of traditional hydrogels and magnetic responsiveness. These ferrohydrogels may have applications in soft and controllable actuators. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132 , 41950.