Speaker
Description
Silica (SiO$_2$) hydrogels incorporating magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) offer a promising platform for advanced materials with applications in biomedicine. This study explores the synthesis, structural characteristics, and magnetic behavior of SiO$_2$ hydrogels functionalized with MNPs, focusing on their tunable properties. The integration of MNPs within the hydrogel matrix enables controllable magnetic responsiveness while preserving the hydrogel’s inherent porosity and mechanical flexibility [1, 2].
The hydrogel matrix provides a biocompatible and porous environment, enhancing nanoparticle stability and facilitating controlled interactions with external stimuli. In biomedicine, these hybrid materials show great potential for targeted drug delivery, controlled release systems, magnetic hyperthermia for cancer therapy, and biosensing applications. Their magnetic properties enable precise localization and external manipulation, making them ideal for non-invasive therapeutic and diagnostic techniques [3].
We investigate the effects of MNPs size and distribution on the hydrogel's rheological and magnetic properties, providing insight into their stability, responsiveness, and potential for remote actuation. Our findings demonstrate that optimized SiO$_2$-MNPs hydrogels exhibit enhanced magnetic control without compromising structural integrity, paving the way for novel smart materials with multifunctional capabilities.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contracts APVV-20-0512 and APVV-23-0097. It was also supported by VEGA 1/047/25 and by the EU NextGenerationEU through the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Slovakia under the project No. 09I03-03-V03-00034.
References
[1]V. Ghobadifar et al., “Synthesis and Characterization of MNPs Hydrogel with pH-Responsiveness Properties to Release Diclofenac Sodium as a Model Drug,” Iran. J. Chem. Chem. Eng., vol. 42, no. 3, Mar. 2023, https://doi.org/10.30492/ijcce.2022.545387.5085
[2] I. Morales et al., “Magnetic nanoparticle-based hydrogels as reliable platforms to investigate magnetic interactions,” Nanoscale, vol. 17, no. 10. Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), pp. 5993–6003, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4nr04286g
[3] A. Vashist et al., “Recent advances in nanogels for drug delivery and biomedical applications,” Biomaterials Science, vol. 12, no. 23. Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), pp. 6006–6018, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4bm00224e
