Abstract:Magnetoactive films are a kind of novel smart materials, whose mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and acoustic properties can be controlled by an external magnetic field. Thus, Magnetoactive films show wide application prospects in several fields. This paper focuses on the preparation, properties characterization, and application of magnetoactive films. First, this paper summarizes the preparation methods of magnetoactive films from the aspects of material design, preparation process, and structural design. The results show that the saturation magnetization of magnetoactive films is closely related to the types and content of doped magnetic particles. The elastic modulus of the matrix is the main factor that affects the elastic modulus of magnetoactive films. Then, the mechanical, electromagnetic, and acoustic performance characterization are systematically elaborated. Magnetoactive films exhibit excellent deformation properties when suffering from magnetic field. Meanwhile, magnetoactive films show outstanding magnetic and electric performances. The stiffness of magnetoactive films can be controlled by the external magnetic field, magnetoactive films show excellent acoustic properties. Finally, this paper enumerates the applications of magnetoactive films in the fields of sensors, actuators, flexible robots, etc. Due to the excellent softness, stretchability, and magnetic field controllable property, magnetoactive films can be used as sensing devices for magnetic field, force, and deformation detection. Moreover, magnetoactive films may be an ideal material for actuators due to the morphological changeability under the external magnetic field. Furthermore, magnetoactive films show great potential in soft robots, such as moving soft robots, grippers, medical soft robots, etc. In addition, high-performance acoustic, adsorption, and biomedical devices can be developed by making full use of the deformation properties of magnetoactive films. In summary, the development, problems, and challenges of magnetoactive films have been prospected. The external magnetic field can control the shape and characteristics of magnetoactive films, and then resulted in a broad application of magnetoactive films in acoustics, electromagnetics, biomedicine, etc. Although many studies have been carried out, there are still some problems to be solved in the further. The fabrication of ultra-thin or large size or high mechanical properties of magnetoactive film remains a problem. The mechanical properties of magnetoactive films under a high strain rate need further study. More research should be done to achieve practical application of magnetoactive films.