In situ Synthesis of Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Thermally Responsive Alginate‐Poly(<i>N</i>‐isopropylacrylamide) Semi‐Interpenetrating Polymer Networks

Abstract

A novel semi-interpenetrating polymer network based on alginate and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNiPAAm) has been synthesized that shows response to temperature and magnetic fields. Highly homogeneous porous hydrogels are obtained by copolymerizing N-isopropylacrylamide and bis-acrylamide in the presence of an aqueous alginate solution. The synthesis of magnetic iron oxides by in-situ oxidation of iron cations coordinated to the alginate network results in a hydrogel with an enhanced deswelling rate with respect to pure PNiPAAm.