Dynamic viscoelasticity and magnetorheological property of magnetic hydrogels

Enable hydrogels with real-time controllable viscoelastic properties is of great significance for their clinical application. In this study, magnetic hydrogels were synthesized through a blending method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the morphology of the magnetic hydrogels. The structure of magnetic hydrogels was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) and swelling tests. Compared with the passive hydrogel scaffolds, the magnetic hydrogel scaffolds have similar porous morphology but a more flexible structure. Magnetic hydrogels show dynamic viscoelasticity and magnetic-induced shear storage modulus with increasing field strength. The reason is the Fe3O4 nanoparticles interact with each other under external magnetic field, thus change the microstructure of the magnetic hydrogels.