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Synthesis and characterization of PVA ferrogels obtained through a one-pot freezing–thawing procedure

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Abstract

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) ferrogels were easily obtained through a one-pot technique that involves co-precipitation of iron salts in the presence of a PVA solution, followed by freezing–thawing cycles of the resulting nanoparticles (NPs) dispersions. The protecting effect of PVA enabled the synthesis of small magnetic NPs that did not agglomerate in the initial solution allowing the synthesis of well-dispersed ferrogels by physical cross-linking. Physical properties of the physically cross-linked ferrogels, as swelling ability, melting temperature, and crystallinity, were barely affected by the presence of NPs, presenting similar or improved values when compared with chemically cross-linked systems. Ferrogels showed superparamagnetic properties at room temperature that combined with the absence of toxic residues arising from cross-linking agents make them ideal candidates for their use in biomedical applications (artificial muscles, drug delivery, and sensors among others).

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), National Agency of Scientific and Technology Promotion (ANPCyT), and National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP). The authors would like to thank the cooperation support by of Eng. David D' Amico in the XRD analyses.

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Author notes

  1. Diego Muraca

    Present address: Gleb Wataghin Physics Institute (IFGW), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Rua Sergio Buarque de Holanda, 777 Cidade Universitaria, Zeferino Vaz Barao Geraldo, CEP 13083-859, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CoMP (Composite Materials Group)—Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA), University of Mar del Plata and National Research Council (CONICET), Solís 7575, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Jimena S. Gonzalez & Vera A. Alvarez

  2. Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA), University of Mar del Plata and National Research Council (CONICET), J. B. Justo 4302, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Cristina E. Hoppe

  3. Physics Research Institute of Mar del Plata (IFIMAR), University of Mar del Plata and National Research Council (CONICET), Dean Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Diego Muraca

  4. Physics Department—Physics Institute of La Plata (IFLP–FCE), University of La Plata—National Research Council (CONICET), CC 67, 1900, La Plata, Argentina

    Francisco H. Sánchez

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  1. Jimena S. Gonzalez
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  2. Cristina E. Hoppe
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  5. Vera A. Alvarez
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Correspondence to Vera A. Alvarez.

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Gonzalez, J.S., Hoppe, C.E., Muraca, D. et al. Synthesis and characterization of PVA ferrogels obtained through a one-pot freezing–thawing procedure. Colloid Polym Sci 289, 1839–1846 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-011-2501-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-011-2501-1

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