Double-Layered Plasmonic–Magnetic Vesicles by Self-Assembly of Janus Amphiphilic Gold–Iron(II,III) Oxide Nanoparticles

Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) offer unique features, including the precisely controlled distribution of compositions, surface charges, dipole moments, modular and combined functionalities, which enable excellent applications that are unavailable to their symmetrical counterparts. Assemblies of NPs exhibit coupled optical, electronic and magnetic properties that are different from single NPs. Herein, we report a new class of double-layered plasmonic–magnetic vesicle assembled from Janus amphiphilic Au-Fe₃O₄ NPs grafted with polymer brushes of different hydrophilicity on Au and Fe₃O₄ surfaces separately. Like liposomes, the vesicle shell is composed of two layers of Au-Fe₃O₄ NPs in opposite direction, and the orientation of Au or Fe₃O₄ in the shell can be well controlled by exploiting the amphiphilic property of the two types of polymers.     

Constructing magnetic Fe3O4‐Au@CeO2 hybrid nanofibers for selective catalytic degradation of organic dyes

Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) play a vital role in heterogeneous catalytic reactions. However, pristine Au NPs usually suffer from poor selectivity and difficult recyclability. In this work, Fe₃O₄‐Au@CeO₂ hybrid nanofibers were prepared via a simple one‐pot redox reaction between HAuCl₄ and Ce (NO₃)₃ in the presence of Fe₃O₄ nanofibers. CeO₂ shell was uniformly coated on the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanofibers to form a unique core‐shell structure, while Au NPs were encapsulated inside the CeO₂ shell. The as‐prepared Fe₃O₄‐Au@CeO₂ hybrid nanofibers have been proved to be positively surface charged due to the formation of CeO₂ shell, enabling them to be good candidates for predominant selective catalytic activity towards the degradation of negatively charged organic dyes. In addition, the Fe₃O₄‐Au@CeO₂ hybrid nanofibers showed magnetic properties, offering them excellent recyclable usability. This work presents a facile and effective solution to prepare magnetic noble metal/metal oxide hybrid nanomaterials with unique chemical structure and surface characteristic for promising applications in heterogeneous catalysis.     

Peapod‐Type Nanocomposites through the In Situ Growth of Gold Nanoparticles within Preformed Hexaniobate Nanoscrolls

A facile in situ method to grow Au nanoparticles (NPs) in hexaniobate nanoscrolls is applied to the formation of plasmonic Au@hexaniobate and bifunctional plasmonic‐magnetic Au‐Fe₃O₄@hexaniobate nanopeapods (NPPs). Utilizing a solvothermal treatment, rigid multiwalled hexaniobate nanoscrolls and partially filled Fe₃O₄@hexaniobate NPPs were first fabricated. These nanostructures were then used as templates for the controlled in situ growth of Au NPs. The resulting peapod structures exhibited high filling fractions and long‐range uniformity. Optical measurements showed a progressive red shift in plasmonic behavior between Au NPs, Au NPPs, and Au‐Fe₃O₄ NPPs; magnetic studies found that the addition of gold in the Fe₃O₄@hexaniobate NPPs reduced interparticle coupling effects. The development of this approach allows for the routine bulk preparation of noble‐metal‐containing bifunctional nanopeapod materials.     

Magnetic Nanohybrids Loaded with Bimetal Core–Shell–Shell Nanorods for Bacteria Capture,Separation, and Near‐Infrared Photothermal Treatment

A novel antimicrobial nanohybrid based on near‐infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion is designed for bacteria capture, separation, and sterilization (killing). Positively charged magnetic reduced graphene oxide with modification by polyethylenimine (rGO–Fe₃O₄–PEI) is prepared and then loaded with core–shell–shell Au–Ag–Au nanorods to construct the nanohybrid rGO–Fe₃O₄–Au–Ag–Au. NIR laser irradiation melts the outer Au shell and exposes the inner Ag shell, which facilitates controlled release of the silver shell. The nanohybrids combine physical photothermal sterilization as a result of the outer Au shell with the antibacterial effect of the inner Ag shell. In addition, the nanohybrid exhibits high heat conductivity because of the rGO and rapid magnetic‐separation capability that is attributable to Fe₃O₄. The nanohybrid provides a significant improvement of bactericidal efficiency with respect to bare Au–Ag–Au nanorods and facilitates the isolation of bacteria from sample matrixes. A concentration of 25 μg mL^?1 of nanohybrid causes 100 % capture and separation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (1×10⁸ cfu mL^?1) from an aqueous medium in 10 min. In addition, it causes a 22 °C temperature rise for the surrounding solution under NIR irradiation (785 nm, 50 mW cm^?2) for 10 min. With magnetic separation, 30 μg mL^?1 of nanohybrid results in a 100 % killing rate for E. coli O157:H7 cells. The facile bacteria separation and photothermal sterilization is potentially feasible for environmental and/or clinical treatment.     

Facile Hydrogen‐Bond‐Assisted Polymerization and Immobilization Method to Synthesize Hierarchical Fe3O4@Poly(4‐vinylpyridine‐co‐divinylbenzene)@Au Nanostructures and Their Catalytic Applications

Hierarchical Fe₃O₄@poly(4‐vinylpyridine‐co‐divinylbenzene)@Au (Fe₃O₄@P(4‐VP–DVB)@Au) nanostructures were fabricated successfully by means of a facile two‐step synthesis process. In this study, well‐defined core–shell Fe₃O₄@P(4‐VP–DVB) microspheres were first prepared with a simple polymerization method, in which 4‐VP was easily polymerized on the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles by means of strong hydrogen‐bond interactions between ? COOH groups on poly(acrylic acid)‐modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and a 4‐VP monomer. HAuCl₄ was adsorbed on the chains of a P(4‐VP) shell and then reduced to Au nanoparticles by NaBH₄, which were embedded into the P(4‐VP) shell of the composite microspheres to finally form the Fe₃O₄@P(4‐VP–DVB)@Au nanostructures. The obtained Fe₃O₄@P(4‐VP–DVB)@Au catalysts with different Au loadings were applied in the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) and exhibited excellent catalytic activity (up to 3025 h^?1 of turnover frequency), facile magnetic separation (up to 31.9 emu g^?1 of specific saturation magnetization), and good durability (over 98 % of conversion of 4‐NP after ten runs of recyclable catalysis and almost negligible leaching of Au).     

Gold/Wüstite Core–shell Nanoparticles: Suppression of Iron Oxidation through the Electron‐Transfer Phenomenon

Plasmonic Au and magnetic Fe are coupled into uniform Au@Fe core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) to confirm that electron transfer occurred from the Au core to the Fe shell. Au NPs synthesized in aqueous medium are used as seeds and coated with an Fe shell. The resulting Au@Fe NPs are characterized by using various analytical techniques. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and superconducting quantum interference device measurements reveal that the Fe shell of the Au@Fe NPs mainly consists of paramagnetic Wüstite with a thin surface oxide layer consisting of maghemite or magnetite. Electron transfer from the Au core to the Fe shell effectively suppresses iron oxidation from Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺ near the interface between the Au and the Fe. The charge‐transfer‐induced electronic modification technique enables us to control the degree of iron oxidation and the resulting magnetic properties.     

Gold‐loading magnetic core–shell organic/inorganic nanocomposites: facile preparation and multiple properties

Magnetic composite nanospheres (MCS) were first prepared via mini‐emulsion polymerization. Subsequently, the hybrid core–shell nanospheres were used as carriers to support gold nanoparticles. The as‐prepared gold‐loading magnetic composite nanospheres (Au‐MCS) had a hydrophobic core embed with γ‐Fe₃O₄ and a hydrophilic shell loaded by gold nanoparticles. Both the content of γ‐Fe₃O₄ and the size of gold nanoparticles could be controlled in our experiments, which resulted in fabricating various materials. On one hand, the Au‐MCS could be used as a T₂ contrast agent with a relaxivity coefficient of 362 mg^?1 ml S^?1 for magnetic resonance imaging. On the other hand, the Au‐MCS exhibited tunable optical‐absorption property over a wavelength range from 530 nm to 800 nm, which attributed to a secondary growth of gold nanoparticles. In addition, dynamic light scattering results of particle sizing and Zeta potential measurements revealed that Au‐MCS had a good stability in an aqueous solution, which would be helpful for further applications. Finally, it showed that the Au‐MCS were efficient catalysts for reductions of hydrophobic nitrobenzene and hydrophilic 4‐nitrophenol that could be reused by a magnetic separation process. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetic Resonance and Mössbauer Studies of Superparamagnetic γ‐Fe2O3 Nanoparticles Encapsulated into Liquid‐Crystalline Poly(propylene imine) Dendrimers

We present the first results of electron magnetic resonance (EMR) and Mössbauer spectroscopy studies of γ‐Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated into liquid‐crystalline, second‐generation dendrimers. The mean size of NPs formed in the dendrimers was around 2.5 nm. A temperature‐driven transition from superparamagnetic to ferrimagnetic resonance was observed for the sample. Low‐temperature blocking of the NP magnetic moments has been clearly evidenced in the integrated EMR line intensity and the blocking temperature was about 60 K. The physical parameters of magnetic NPs (magnetic moment, effective magnetic anisotropy) have been determined from analyses of the EMR data. The effective magnetic anisotropy constant is enhanced relative to bulk γ‐Fe₂O₃ and this enhanced value is associated with the influence of the surface and shape effects. The angular dependence of the EMR signal position for the field‐freezing sample from liquid‐crystalline phase showed that NPs possessed uniaxial anisotropy, in contrast to bulk γ‐Fe₂O₃. Mössbauer spectroscopy determined that fabricated NPs consisted of an α‐Fe core and a γ‐Fe₂O₃ shell.     

Novel synthesis of Fe2O3–Pt ellipsoids coated by double‐shelled La2O3 as a catalyst for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol

A facile strategy is reported for the fabrication of Pt‐loaded core–shell nanocomposite ellipsoids (Fe₂O₃‐Pt@DSL) consisting of ellipsoidal Fe₂O₃ cores, double‐layered La₂O₃ shells and deposited Pt nanoparticles (NPs). The formation of the doubled‐shelled structure uses Fe₂O₃‐Pt@mSiO₂ as template sacrificial agent and it involves the re‐deposition of silica and self‐assembly of metal oxide units. The preparation methods of double‐shelled metal oxides avoid repeated coating and etching and could be utilized to fabricate other shaped double‐shelled composites. Characterization results indicated that the Fe₂O₃‐Pt@DSL nanocomposites possessed mesoporous structure and tunable shell thickness. Moreover, due to the formation of Fe₂O₃ and La₂O₃ composites, Pt NPs can also be stabilized via deposition on chemically active oxides with a synergistic effect. Therefore, as a catalyst for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol, Fe₂O₃‐Pt@DSL showed superior catalytic activity and reusability due to structural superiority and enhanced composite synergy. Finally, well‐dispersed Pt NPs were encapsulated into the void between the shell layers to construct the Fe₂O₃‐Pt@DSL‐Pt catalyst.     

Synthesis of pH‐responsive magnetic yolk–shell nanoparticles: A comparison between conventional etching and new deswelling approaches

Iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) magnetic nanoparticles as movable cores were used to synthesize yolk–shell nanoparticles with pH‐responsive shell composed of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA)‐crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) via two different routes. In the first more common route, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were coated with silica layer via the Stöber process to yield Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ core–shell nanoparticles, subsequently used as seeds in the distillation precipitation copolymerization of AA and EGDMA to yield Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@P(AA‐EGDMA). The silica layer was selectively removed through alkali etching to yield Fe₃O₄@air@P(AA‐EGDMA). In the second route, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles without any stabilization were used as seeds in the distillation precipitation copolymerization of AA and EGDMA to yield Fe₃O₄@P(AA‐EGDMA) core–shell nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were subsequently dispersed in acidic medium of pH = 2. Yolk–shell Fe₃O₄@air@P(AA‐EGDMA) nanoparticles were formed through deswelling of crosslinked PAA because of protonation of carboxyl groups at low pH values. Various techniques were utilized to investigate the characteristics of the synthesized core–shell nanoparticles. Formation of yolk–shell nanostructure was observed for both synthesis routes, namely etching of silica layer and deswelling approaches, from vibrating sample magnetometry and transmission electron microscopy results. Both types of nanoparticles showed pH‐responsive behaviour, i.e. decrease in absorption with increase in pH, as examined using UV–visible spectroscopy.     

Exchange‐Coupled fct‐FePd/α‐Fe Nanocomposite Magnets Converted from Pd/Fe3O4 Core/Shell Nanoparticles

We report the controlled synthesis of exchange‐coupled face‐centered tetragonal (fct) FePd/α‐Fe nanocomposite magnets with variable Fe concentration. The composite was converted from Pd/Fe₃O₄ core/shell nanoparticles through a high‐temperature annealing process in a reducing atmosphere. The shell thickness of core/shell Pd/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles could be readily tuned, and subsequently the concentration of Fe in nanocomposite magnets was controlled. Upon annealing reduction, the hard magnetic fct‐FePd phase was formed by the interdiffusion between reduced α‐Fe and face‐centered cubic (fcc) Pd, whereas the excessive α‐Fe remained around the fct‐FePd grains, realizing exchange coupling between the soft magnetic α‐Fe and hard magnetic fct‐FePd phases. Magnetic measurements showed variation in the magnetic properties of the nanocomposite magnets with different compositions, indicating distinct exchange coupling at the interfaces. The coercivity of the exchange‐coupled nanocomposites could be tuned from 0.7 to 2.8 kOe and the saturation magnetization could be controlled from 93 to 160 emu g^?1. This work provides a bottom‐up approach using exchange‐coupled nanocomposites for engineering advanced permanent magnets with controllable magnetic properties.     

Recent Developments in the Plant‐Mediated Green Synthesis of Ag‐Based Nanoparticles for Environmental and Catalytic Applications

Among different metallic nanoparticles, sliver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are one of the most essential and fascinating nanomaterials. Importantly, among the metal based nanoparticles, Ag NPs play a key role in various fields such as biomedicine, biosensors, catalysis, pharmaceuticals, nanoscience and nanotechnology, particularly in nanomedicine. A main concern about the chemical synthesis of Ag NPs is the production of hazardous chemicals and toxic wastes. To overcome this problem, many research studies have been carried out on the green synthesis of Ag NPs using green sources such as plant extracts, microorganisms and some biopolymers without formation of hazardous wastes. Among green sources, plants could be remarkably valuable to exploring the biosynthesis of Ag NPs. In this review, the green synthesis of Ag‐based nanocatalysts such as Ag NPs, AgPd NPs, Au?Ag NPs, Ag/AgPd NPs, Ag/Cu NPs, Ag@AgCl NPs, Au?Ag@AgCl nanocomposite, Ag?Cr‐AC nanocomposite and Ag NPs immobilized on various supports such as Natrolite zeolite, bone, ZnO, seashell, hazelnut shell, almond shell, SnO₂, perlite, ZrO₂, TiO₂, α‐Al₂O₃, CeO₂, reduced graphene oxide (rGO), h‐Fe₂O₃@SiO₂, and Fe₃O₄ using numerous plant extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents in the absence of hazardous surfactant and capping agents has been focused. This work describes the state of the art and future challenges in the biosynthesis of Ag‐based nanocatalysts. The fact about the application of living plants in metal nanoparticle (MNPs) industry is that it is a more economical and efficient biosynthesis biosynthetic procedure. In addition, the catalytic activities of the synthesized, Ag‐based recyclable nanocatalysts using various plant extracts in several chemical reactions such as oxidation, reduction, coupling, cycloaddition, cyanation, epoxidation, hydration, degradation and hydrogenation reactions have bben extensively discussed.     

General Route to Multifunctional Uniform Yolk/Mesoporous Silica Shell Nanocapsules: A Platform for Simultaneous Cancer‐Targeted Imaging and Magnetically Guided Drug Delivery

Hollow mesoporous SiO₂ (mSiO₂) nanostructures with movable nanoparticles (NPs) as cores, so‐called yolk‐shell nanocapsules (NCs), have attracted great research interest. However, a highly efficient, simple and general way to produce yolk‐mSiO₂ shell NCs with tunable functional cores and shell compositions is still a great challenge. A facile, general and reproducible strategy has been developed for fabricating discrete, monodisperse and highly uniform yolk‐shell NCs under mild conditions, composed of mSiO₂ shells and diverse functional NP cores with different compositions and shapes. These NPs can be Fe₃O₄ NPs, gold nanorods (GNRs), and rare‐earth upconversion NRs, endowing the yolk‐mSiO₂ shell NCs with magnetic, plasmonic, and upconversion fluorescent properties. In addition, multifunctional yolk‐shell NCs with tunable interior hollow spaces and mSiO₂ shell thickness can be precisely controlled. More importantly, fluorescent‐magnetic‐biotargeting multifunctional polyethyleneimine (PEI)‐modified fluorescent Fe₃O₄@mSiO₂ yolk‐shell nanobioprobes as an example for simultaneous targeted fluorescence imaging and magnetically guided drug delivery to liver cancer cells is also demonstrated. This synthetic approach can be easily extended to the fabrication of multifunctional yolk@mSiO₂ shell nanostructures that encapsulate various functional movable NP cores, which construct a potential platform for the simultaneous targeted delivery of drug/gene/DNA/siRNA and bio‐imaging.     

A Novel Route for Fabricating Metal‐Polymer Composite Nanoparticles with Phase‐Separated Structures

Au nanoparticles (NPs) and polymer composite particles with phase‐separation structures were prepared based on phase separation structures. Au NPs were successfully synthesized in amphiphilic block‐copolymer micelles, and then composite particles were formed by a simple solvent evaporation process from Au NPs and polymer solution. The phase separated structures (Janus and Core‐shell) were controlled by changing the combination of polymers having differing hydrophobicity.

     

Design Rules for Self‐Assembly of 2D Nanocrystal/Metal–Organic Framework Superstructures

We demonstrate the guiding principles behind simple two dimensional self‐assembly of MOF nanoparticles (NPs) and oleic acid capped iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) NCs into a uniform two‐dimensional bi‐layered superstructure. This self‐assembly process can be controlled by the energy of ligand–ligand interactions between surface ligands on Fe₃O₄ NCs and Zr₆O₄(OH)₄(fumarate)₆ MOF NPs. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (TEM)/energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and TEM tomography confirm the hierarchical co‐assembly of Fe₃O₄ NCs with MOF NPs as ligand energies are manipulated to promote facile diffusion of the smaller NCs. First‐principles calculations and event‐driven molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the observed patterns are dictated by combination of ligand–surface and ligand–ligand interactions. This study opens a new avenue for design and self‐assembly of MOFs and NCs into high surface area assemblies, mimicking the structure of supported catalyst architectures, and provides a thorough fundamental understanding of the self‐assembly process, which could be a guide for designing functional materials with desired structure.     

Synthesis and characteristics of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid)/Fe3O4/poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid) two‐shell thermosensitive magnetic composite hollow latex particles

In this study, the poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐methylacrylate acid)/Fe₃O₄/poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐methylacrylate acid) (poly(NIPAAm‐MAA)/Fe₃O₄/poly(NIPAAm‐MAA)) two‐shell magnetic composite hollow latex particles were synthesized by four steps. The poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐methylacrylate acid) (poly(MMA‐MAA)) copolymer latex particles were synthesized first. Then, the second step was to polymerize NIPAAm, MAA, and crosslinking agent in the presence of poly(MMA‐MAA) latex particles to form the linear poly(MMA‐MAA)/crosslinking poly(NIPAAm‐MAA) core–shell latex particles. Then, the core–shell latex particles were heated in the presence of NH₄OH to dissolve the linear poly(MMA‐MAA) core to form the poly(NIPAAm‐MAA) hollow latex particles. In the third step, the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were generated in the presence of poly(NIPAAm‐MAA) hollow polymer latex particles and formed the poly(NIPAAm‐MAA)/Fe₃O₄ magnetic composite hollow latex particles. The fourth step was to synthesize poly(NIPAAm‐MAA) in the presence of poly(NIPAAm‐MAA)/Fe₃O₄ latex particles to form the poly(NIPAAm‐MAA)/Fe₃O₄/poly(NIPAAm‐MAA) two‐shell magnetic composite hollow latex particles. The effect of various variables such as reactant concentration, monomer ratio, and pH value on the morphology and volume‐phase transition temperature of two‐shell magnetic composite hollow latex particles was studied. Moreover, the latex particles were used as carriers to load with caffeine, and the caffeine‐loading characteristics and caffeine release rate of latex particles were also studied. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2880–2891     

Hierarchical Fe3O4@TiO2 Yolk–Shell Microspheres with Enhanced Microwave‐Absorption Properties

A facile and efficient strategy for the synthesis of hierarchical yolk–shell microspheres with magnetic Fe₃O₄ cores and dielectric TiO₂ shells has been developed. Various Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ yolk–shell microspheres with different core sizes, interstitial void volumes, and shell thicknesses have been successfully synthesized by controlling the synthetic parameters. Moreover, the microwave absorption properties of these yolk–shell microspheres, such as the complex permittivity and permeability, were investigated. The electromagnetic data demonstrate that the as‐synthesized Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ yolk–shell microspheres exhibit significantly enhanced microwave absorption properties compared with pure Fe₃O₄ and our previously reported Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ core–shell microspheres, which may result from the unique yolk–shell structure with a large surface area and high porosity, as well as synergistic effects between the functional Fe₃O₄ cores and TiO₂ shells.     

Facile deposition of gold nanoparticles on core–shell Fe3O4@polydopamine as recyclable nanocatalyst

A simple and green method for the controllable synthesis of core–shell Fe₃O₄ polydopamine nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@PDA NPs) with tunable shell thickness and their application as a recyclable nanocatalyst support is presented. Magnetite Fe₃O₄ NPs formed in a one-pot process by the hydrothermal approach with a diameter of ∼240 nm were coated with a polydopamine shell layer with a tunable thickness of 15–45 nm. The facile deposition of Au NPs atop Fe₃O₄@PDA NPs was achieved by utilizing PDA as both the reducing agent and the coupling agent. The satellite nanocatalysts exhibited high catalytic performance for the reduction of p-nitrophenol. Furthermore, the recovery and reuse of the catalyst was demonstrated 8 times without detectible loss in activity. The synergistic combination of unique features of PDA and magnetic nanoparticles establishes these core–shell NPs as a versatile platform for potential applications.     

Preparation and Characterization of Fe3O4/Ethiodized‐oil Magnetic Fluids Used in Arterial Embolization Hyperthermia

Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by the co‐precipitation of Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ with ammonium hydroxide, and were modified by four different surfactants. The modified Fe₃O₄ NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. Then, the modified Fe₃O₄ NPs were dispersed in ethiodized‐oil by mechanical agitation and ultrasonic vibration to obtain stable Fe₃O₄/ethiodized‐oil magnetic fluids (MFs). The magnetic properties and rheological properties of the MFs were measured using a Gouy magnetic balance and a rotational rheometer, respectively. The saturation magnetization of the Fe₃O₄ modified by oleic acid was 52.1 emu/g. Furthermore, the result showed that the inductive heating effect of oleic acid stabilized Fe₃O₄/ethiodized‐oil MF was remarkable and it only took 650 s for the temperature rising from 25°C to 65°C. The specific absorption rate of the MF was 50.16 W/(g of Fe). It had a potential application in arterial embolization hyperthermia.     

Synthesis of magnetic,reactive, and thermoresponsive Fe3O4 nanoparticles via surface‐initiated RAFT copolymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide and acrolein

A reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent was directly anchored onto Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in a simple procedure using a ligand exchange reaction of S‐1‐dodecyl‐S′‐(α,α′‐dimethyl‐α″‐acetic acid)trithiocarbonate with oleic acid initially present on the surface of pristine Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The RAFT agent‐functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were then used for the surface‐initiated RAFT copolymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide and acrolein to fabricate structurally well‐defined hybrid nanoparticles with reactive and thermoresponsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrolein) shell and magnetic Fe₃O₄ core. Evidence of a well‐controlled surface‐initiated RAFT copolymerization was gained from a linear increase of number‐average molecular weight with overall monomer conversions and relatively narrow molecular weight distributions of the copolymers grown from the nanoparticles. The resulting novel magnetic, reactive, and thermoresponsive core‐shell nanoparticles exhibited temperature‐trigged magnetic separation behavior and high ability to immobilize model protein BSA. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 542–550, 2010