Biodegradable magnetic gel: synthesis and characterization

Biodegradable polymer-based magnetic gels have been synthesized using hydroxypropyl cellulose and maghemite. These magnetic gels have a network of nanoparticles of hydroxypropyl cellulose (30–100 nm) and a homogeneous distribution of nanosized maghemite (~7 nm). This has been observed in a STEM micrograph. The surface structure of the gels has been observed by atomic force microscopy, while transmission electron microscopy has shown the distribution of iron oxide in HPC gel nanoparticles. These gels have magneto-elastic properties. The magnetic susceptibility and magnetization of these gels are measured by a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer.