Multifunctional Magnetic Hydrogel Composites

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Chemistry and Physics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 November 2026 | Viewed by 914

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i3N/CENIMAT, Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Interests: magnetic nanoparticles; cancer theranostics; thermoresponsive polymers; 3D printing; microgels
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue, titled “Multifunctional Magnetic Hydrogel Composites,” focuses on the development and application of multifunctional magnetic hydrogels. These innovative materials combine the unique properties of hydrogels, such as high biocompatibility, tunable mechanical strength, and exceptional water retention capacity, with the magnetic characteristics of embedded nanoparticles. This Issue explores recent advancements in sophisticated synthesis, multi-scale characterization, and diverse applications of these composites, covering fields such as tissue engineering for regenerative medicine, precisely controlled drug delivery systems, highly sensitive (bio)sensors, and next-generation soft robotic biomedical devices. The overarching aim is to highlight the significant potential of these smart, responsive materials in addressing complex technological and medical challenges, thereby fostering a vital interdisciplinarity between chemistry, physics, materials science, biology, and engineering. For this Issue, we invite researchers to share groundbreaking findings that drive progress in this dynamically emerging field.

We welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and forward-looking perspectives that explore innovative hydrogel systems with biomedical applications, especially those demonstrating novel functionalities.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions and collaboratively advancing this exciting and promising field together.

Dr. Paula I. P. Soares
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • hydrogel
  • magnetic nanoparticles
  • multifunctional systems
  • composites
  • medical applications

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 2870 KB  
Article
Magnetic-Graphene-Oxide-Incorporated Alginate Hydrogel Beads as a Potential Controlled Drug Delivery System
by Somayeh Sadighian, Tabassom Mahmoudie, Abolfazl Kordloo, Mohammad Reza Heydari, Akram Khanmohammadi, Zahra Kaboli and Narges Forouzideh
Gels 2026, 12(2), 153; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12020153 - 8 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 686
Abstract
The aim of this study was to synthesize alginate hydrogel beads using ionotropic gelation containing pH-sensitive magnetic reduced graphene oxide (MGO). MGO was prepared using a hydrothermal method and surrounded by alginate beads. FTIR, XRD, FESEM, TEM, VSM and TGA showed that the [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to synthesize alginate hydrogel beads using ionotropic gelation containing pH-sensitive magnetic reduced graphene oxide (MGO). MGO was prepared using a hydrothermal method and surrounded by alginate beads. FTIR, XRD, FESEM, TEM, VSM and TGA showed that the synthesized beads have a quasi-spherical structure, exhibit superparamagnetic behavior, and are thermally stable up to 350 °C. The model drug, quercetin, was loaded into these particles with an efficiency of 25.8%. These particles showed a pH-dependent release. HFF-2 and Caco-2 cells were used to investigate cytotoxicity. At a concentration of 140 μg/mL, more than 80% viability was observed in HFF-2 cells and anticancer effects were observed on Caco-2 cells with a decrease in viability of less than 50% at a concentration of 200 μg/mL. The obtained cell culture results indicate that the hydrogel beads are biocompatible and act as a drug delivery system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Magnetic Hydrogel Composites)
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