Novel approaches for the preparation of magnetic nanogels via covalent bonding

Here, novel methods to encapsulate magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) into dual-stimuli-responsive nanogels via covalent bonding are reported. With the aim of strengthening the attachment of MNPs with the nanogels, primary amine- and epoxide-functionalized stimuli-sensitive poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDEAEMA)-based nanogels were firstly synthesized. Then, MNPs were incorporated into the nanogels by using different methods, obtaining different families of magnetic nanogels (MNGs). Those MNGs, showing pH-sensitivity and high superparamagnetic response, could be considered to be widely useful as theranostic agents in biomedical applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017