Tunable dynamic response of magnetic gels: impact of structural properties and magnetic fields

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the dynamic response of magnetic gels can be tuned by internal structural properties, magnetic fields, and synthesis history, aiding the design of customizable magneto-mechanical materials.

Contribution

It introduces minimal models to analyze the effects of orientational memory, particle arrangement, and magnetic field strength on magnetic gels' dynamics.

Findings

Structural arrangement significantly affects dynamic behavior.

External magnetic fields can reversibly tune mechanical properties.

Orientational memory influences the response to magnetic stimuli.

Abstract

Ferrogels and magnetic elastomers feature mechanical properties that can be reversibly tuned from outside through magnetic fields. Here we concentrate on the question how their dynamic response can be adjusted. The influence of three factors on the dynamic behavior is demonstrated using appropriate minimal models: first, the orientational memory imprinted into one class of the materials during their synthesis; second, the structural arrangement of the magnetic particles in the materials; and third, the strength of an external magnetic field. To illustrate the latter point, structural data are extracted from a real experimental sample and analyzed. Understanding how internal structural properties and external influences impact the dominant dynamical properties helps to design materials that optimize the requested behavior.