Magneto-responsive alginate capsules.
Upon incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles (mNPs) into gels, composite materials called ferrogels are obtained. These magneto-responsive systems have a wide range of potential applications including switches and sensors as well as drug delivery systems. In this article, we focus on the properties of calcium alginate capsules, which are widely used as carrier systems in medicine and technology. We studied the incorporation of different kinds of mNPs in matrix capsules and in the core and the shell of hollow particles. We found out that not all particle-alginate or particle-CaCl2 solution combinations were suitable for a successful capsule preparation on grounds of a destabilization of the nanoparticles or the polymer. For those systems allowing the preparation of switchable beads or capsules, we systematically studied the size and microscopic structure of the capsules, their magnetic behavior and mechanical resistance.
Physikalische Chemie I; Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
Patrick
P
Degen
Elena
E
Zwar
Imke
I
Schulz
Heinz
H
Rehage
D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006244:Hardness; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D060526:Magnetic Fields; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008422:Materials Testing; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D000464:Alginates; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D053769:Nanocapsules; D020723:Glucuronic Acid