Swelling of ferrogels in uniform magnetic field – A theoretical approach

Magnetic field sensitive gels (ferrogels or magnetoelasts) are three-dimensional cross-linked networks of flexible polymers swollen by ferrofluids or magnetic fluids. The influence of external magnetic field on the equilibrium swelling degree is the subject of this study. Using thermodynamic arguments it is shown that uniform external field may result in deswelling of the ferrogels at high field intensities.