Synthesis of Fe_3O_4@SiO_2@polymer nanoparticles for controlled drug release

Novel multifunctional nanoparticles containing a magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 sphere and a biocompatible block copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(aspartate)(PEG-b-PAsp) were prepared.The silica coated on the superparamagnetic core was able to achieve a magnetic dispersivity,as well as to protect Fe3O4 against oxidation and acid corrosion.The PAsp block was grafted to the surface of Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles by amido bonds,and the PEG block formed the outermost shell.The anticancer agent doxorubicin(DOX) was loade...     

Preparation and characterization of thermosensitive polymers grafted onto silica-coated iron oxide nanoparticles

In this study, multifunctional nanoparticles containing thermosensitive polymers grafted onto the surfaces of 6-nm monodisperse Fe(3)O(4) magnetic nanoparticles coated by silica were synthesized using reverse microemulsions and free radical polymerization. The magnetic properties of SiO(2)/Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles show superparamagnetic behavior. Thermosensitive PNIPAM (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)) was then grafted onto the surfaces of SiO(2)/Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles, generating thermosensitive and magnetic properties of nanocomposites. The sizes of fabricated nanoparticles with core-shell structure are controlled at about 30 nm and each nanoparticle contains only one monodisperse Fe(3)O(4) core. For thermosensitivity analysis, the phase transition temperatures of multifunctional nanoparticles measured using DSC was at around 34-36 degrees C. The magnetic characteristics of these multifunctional nanoparticles were also superparamagnetic.     

Fe3O4/Polypyrrole/Au nanocomposites with core/shell/shell structure: synthesis, characterization, and their electrochemical properties

Uniform Fe3O4 nanospheres with a diameter of 100 nm were rapidly prepared using a microwave solvothermal method. Then Fe304/polypyrrole (PPy) composite nanospheres with well-defined core/shell structures were obtained through chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of Fe3O4; the average thickness of the coating shell was about 25 nm. Furthermore, by means of electrostatic interactions, plentiful gold nanoparticles with a diameter of 15 nm were assembled on the surface of Fe3O4/PPy to get Fe3O4/PPy/Au core/shell/shell structure. The morphology, structure, and composition of the products were characterized by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The resultant nanocomposites not only have the magnetism of Fe3O4 nanoparticles that make the nanocomposites easily controlled by an external magnetic field but also have the good conductivity and excellent electrochemical and catalytic properties of PPy and Au nanoparticles. Furthermore, the nanocomposites showed excellent electrocatalytic activities to biospecies such as ascorbic acid (AA).     

Bifunctional nanoparticles with fluorescence and magnetism via surface-initiated AGET ATRP mediated by an iron catalyst

Fluorescent/magnetic nanoparticles are of interest in many applications in biotechnology and nanomedicine for its living detection. In this study, a novel method of surface modification of nanoparticles was first used to modify a fluorescent monomer on the surfaces of magnetic nanoparticles directly. This was achieved via iron(III)-mediated atom-transfer radical polymerization with activators generated by electron transfer (AGET ATRP). Fluorescent monomer 9-(4-vinylbenzyl)-9H-carbazole (VBK) was synthesized and was grafted from magnetic nanoparticles (ferroferric oxide) via AGET ATRP using FeCl(3)·6H(2)O as the catalyst, tris(3,6-dioxaheptyl)amine (TDA-1) as the ligand, and ascorbic acid (AsAc) as the reducing agent. The initiator for ATRP was modified on magnetic nanoparticles with the reported method: ligand exchange with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and then esterification with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide. After polymerization, a well-defined nanocomposite (Fe(3)O(4)@PVBK) was yielded with a magnetic core and a fluorescent shell (PVBK). Subsequently, well-dispersed bifunctional nanoparticles (Fe(3)O(4)@PVBK-b-P(PEGMA)) in water were obtained via consecutive AGET ATRP of hydrophilic monomer poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA). The chemical composition of the magnetic nanoparticles' surface at different surface modification stages was investigated with Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra. The magnetic and fluorescent properties were validated with a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and a fluorophotometer. The Fe(3)O(4)@PVBK-b-P(PEGMA) nanoparticles showed an effective imaging ability in enhancing the negative contrast in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).     

Stable aqueous dispersion of magnetic iron oxide core–shell nanoparticles prepared by biocompatible maleate polymers

A new method is applied to prepare stable aqueous dispersion of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) by biocompatible maleate polymers. Fe₃O₄ magnetic core–shell nanoparticles are obtained via forming an inclusion complex between carboxylic acid groups of maleated biocompatible polymers shell and Fe₃O₄ MNPs core surface. Maleate polymers are synthesized via esterification of poly(ethylene glycol), poly(vinyl alcohol) and starch with maleic anhydride (MA). The Fe₃O₄ magnetic core–shell nanoparticles are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. The obtained magnetic core–shell nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetic property and reveal long‐term aqueous stability. This work represents a valid methodology to produce highly stable aqueous dispersion of Fe₃O₄ MNPs ferrofluids which can be expected to have great potential as contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, the shell composition of biocompatible maleate polymers with double bond of MA as crosslinker agent allows the polymerization with other monomers to design preferred drug delivery systems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of surface plasmon resonance biosensor based on magnetic core/shell Fe3O4/SiO2 and Fe3O4/Ag/SiO2 nanoparticles

In this paper, surface plasmon resonance biosensors based on magnetic core/shell Fe(3)O(4)/SiO(2) and Fe(3)O(4)/Ag/SiO(2) nanoparticles were developed for immunoassay. With Fe(3)O(4) and Fe(3)O(4)/Ag nanoparticles being used as seeding materials, Fe(3)O(4)/SiO(2) and Fe(3)O(4)/Ag/SiO(2) nanoparticles were formed by hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate. The aldehyde group functionalized magnetic nanoparticles provide organic functionality for bioconjugation. The products were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), FTIR and UV-vis absorption spectrometry. The magnetic nanoparticles possess the unique superparamagnetism property, exceptional optical properties and good compatibilities, and could be used as immobilization matrix for goat anti-rabbit IgG. The magnetic nanoparticles can be easily immobilized on the surface of SPR biosensor chip by a magnetic pillar. The effects of Fe(3)O(4)/SiO(2) and Fe(3)O(4)/Ag/SiO(2) nanoparticles on the sensitivity of SPR biosensors were also investigated. As a result, the SPR biosensors based on Fe(3)O(4)/SiO(2) nanoparticles and Fe(3)O(4)/Ag/SiO(2) nanoparticles exhibit a response for rabbit IgG in the concentration range of 1.25-20.00 μg ml(-1) and 0.30-20.00 μg ml(-1), respectively.     

Immobilization of fluorescein isothiocyanate on magnetic polymeric nanoparticle using chitosan as spacer

The nanoparticle with simultaneous combination of magnetic and fluorescent properties was prepared by immobilization of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) onto magnetic polymeric nanoparticle (MPNP). The MPNP with 41% magnetic content was obtained from incorporating Fe(3)O(4) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) into poly(styrene/divinyl benzene/acrylic acid) via the miniemulsion polymerization. Before labeling with FITC, the carboxylated MPNP was coated with chitosan (CS) having low, medium, or high molecular weight (MW) in order to avoid quenching of the fluorescent by iron oxide. Data obtained from TEM, size and zeta potential measurements clearly indicated the presence of CS as a shell surrounding the superparamagnetic MPNP core. The zeta potential, FTIR, and fluorescent spectroscopies confirmed the attachment of FITC to the MPNP-CS via covalent bonding. The higher MW or longer chains of CS (300kDa) offered the larger spacer with multiple sites for the FITC binding and, thus, provided the higher fluorescent emission intensity. The MPNP-CS immobilized with FITC would be useful for cell-labeling application.     

链霉亲和素-异硫氰酸荧光素偶联核壳型Fe_3O_4/Au纳米晶的合成及性质

采用改进的Polyol合成法,以PEO-PPO-PEO为表面活性剂制备了链霉亲和素-异硫氰酸荧光素偶联的Fe3O4/Au纳米粒子;利用透射电镜和X射线衍射仪分析证实了Fe3O4/Au的核壳型纳米结构,确定了其粒径和分布;采用紫外-可见吸收光谱仪和荧光光谱仪测定了所制备的纳米粒子的光学活性和荧光特性,并采用振动样品磁强计(VSM)测量了其磁化率.结果表明,所制备的Fe3O4/Au纳米粒子具有光学活性和荧光特性,以及优异的磁性.     

Atom transfer radical polymerization synthesis and magnetic characterization of MnFe2O4/polystyrene core/shell nanoparticles

An atom transfer radical polymerization route is developed for the coating of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles with polystyrene yielding the core-shell nanoparticles with size <15 nm. Magnetic studies show a decrease in coercivity after the formation of polystyrene shell, which is considered due to the reduction of magnetic surface anisotropy upon polymer coating. The MnFe2O4 nanoparticles as the magnetic core were separately prepared by a reverse micelle microemulsion method. Polymerization initiators are chemically attached onto the surface of nanoparticles. The modified nanoparticles are then used as macro-initiators in the subsequent polymerization reaction. This approach provides great flexibility in the selection of magnetic core. Consequently, magnetic tunability is able to be introduced into these core/shell nanoparticulate systems to achieve the desired superparamagnetic response.     

Development of high magnetization Fe3O4/polystyrene/silica nanospheres via combined miniemulsion/emulsion polymerization

Monodispersed, hydrophilic, superparamagnetic magnetic nanospheres with a high fraction of magnetite were synthesized by combining modified miniemulsion/emulsion polymerization and sol-gel technique for the first time. The surface of the nanospheres was coated by a silica layer with controlled thickness. Transmission electron microscopy experimental results showed well-proportioned, equal-sized, magnetite/polystyrene (Fe3O4/PS) nanospheres with a thin silica shell. Based on the TGA data, the fraction of magnetite in the Fe3O4/PS nanospheres core was estimated to be 80 wt %. Magnetization measurements indicated that the superparamagnetic nature of the nanospheres had high saturation magnetization of 40 emu/g at 300 K. The procedures of the novel synthesis are described in detail. Also discussed are the mechanisms of the novel combined miniemulsion/emulsion polymerization processes.     

Core-shell magnetite nanoparticles surface encapsulated with smart stimuli-responsive polymer: synthesis, characterization, and LCST of viable drug-targeting delivery system

We describe here the synthesis of a novel magnetic drug-targeting carrier characterized by a core-shell structure. The core-shell carrier combines the advantages of a magnetic core and the stimuli-responsive property of the thermosensitive biodegradable polymer shell (e.g., an on-off mechanism responsive to external temperature change). The composite nanoparticles are approximately 8 nm in diameter with approximately 3 nm shell. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) is approximately 38 degrees C as determined by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The carrier is composed of cross-linked dextran grafted with a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide) [dextran-g-poly(NIPAAm-co-DMAAm)] shell and superparamagnetic Fe3O4 core. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the composition of the carrier. The synthesized magnetic carrier system has potential applications in magnetic drug-targeting delivery and magnetic resonance imaging.     

Fe_3O_4/CdTe/聚氨酯纳米复合物的制备及其性能研究

由共沉淀法和Stober法制备了伯胺基功能化SiO2稳定的Fe3O4磁性纳米粒子Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2;Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2与二异氰酸酯及咪唑阳离子二醇、聚乙二醇的反应使其表面形成阳离子型聚氨酯稳定层;通过阳离子型聚氨酯与CdTe量子点表面修饰的巯基乙酸间的电荷相互作用,制备得到了Fe3O4/CdTe/聚氨酯纳米复合物.用X射线衍射(XRD)、红外吸收光谱(FTIR)、热重分析(TGA)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、磁强计(VSM)、紫外吸收光谱(UV)、荧光发射光谱(PL)表征了该纳米复合物的结构与性能.结果表明,CdTe量子点均匀地分散在Fe3O4@SiO2磁性纳米粒子周围,所得纳米复合物在溶剂中分散均匀,不团聚,且具有超顺磁性,并保持了CdTe量子点的荧光性能.     

SiO2@P（MMA/BA/3FMA）复合纳米粒子的制备及膜性能

通过溶胶-凝胶法与半连续种子乳液聚合法相结合,以正硅酸乙酯(TEOS)制备的纳米SiO2为核,以甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)、丙烯酸丁酯(BA)和甲基丙烯酸三氟乙酯(3FMA)的共聚物P(MMA/BA/3FMA)为壳,合成了SiO2@P(MMA/BA/3FMA)核-壳结构纳米复合粒子.为防止纳米SiO2的团聚,提高其与共聚物的结合力,用乙烯基三甲氧基硅烷(VTMS)对纳米SiO2进行改性.通过红外光谱、透射电子显微镜、动态激光散射粒度仪、静态接触角测试仪、X射线光电子能谱分析和热重分析等表征了乳液结构及膜性能.结果表明,获得的复合纳米粒子呈现粒径分布为40～50 nm的核-壳结构球型颗粒.由于含氟官能团的迁移使得氟元素在膜-空气界面富集,有效降低了膜的表面自由能.当3FMA质量分数达到25%时,膜表面自由能达到最低值(23.13 mN/m).随着3FMA含量的增加,共聚物初始热分解温度由350℃提高到390℃.     

Superparamagnetic and fluorescent thermo-responsive core-shell-corona hybrid nanogels with a protective silica shell

We present the preparation and the characterization of the solution behavior and functional properties of superparamagnetic and/or fluorescent, thermo-responsive inorganic/organic hybrid particles with an intermediate protective silica shell and a smart polymer corona. These well-defined multifunctional nanogels were prepared via two consecutive encapsulation processes of superparamagnetic Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles (NPs) and/or fluorescent CdSe(ZnS) semiconductor nanocrystals with a silica layer and a crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) polymer shell. First, the different NPs were entrapped into a silica shell using a microemulsion process. Therein, the precise adjustment of the conditions allows to entrap either several particles or single ones and to tailor the thickness of the silica shell in the range of 20-60 nm. In a second step, a polymer coating, i.e. thermosensitive PNIPAAm, was attached onto the surface of the multifunctional core-shell particles via free radical precipitation polymerization, furnishing multifunctional core-shell-corona hybrid nanogels. Analyses of the functional properties, i.e. optical brightness and magnetic moments, along with transmission electron microscopy reveal near monodisperse hybrid nanoparticles that retain the intrinsic properties of the original nanocrystals. Additionally, we demonstrate the drastically increased chemical stability due to the barrier properties of the intermediate silica layer that protects and shields the inner functional nanocrystals and the responsive character of the smart PNIPAAm shell.     

Three-layer composite magnetic nanoparticle probes for DNA

A method for synthesizing composite nanoparticles with a gold shell, an Fe3O4 inner shell, and a silica core has been developed. The approach utilizes positively charged amino-modified SiO2 particles as templates for the assembly of negatively charged 15 nm superparamagnetic water-soluble Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The SiO2-Fe3O4 particles electrostatically attract 1-3 nm Au nanoparticle seeds that act in a subsequent step as nucleation sites for the formation of a continuous gold shell around the SiO2-Fe3O4 particles upon HAuCl4 reduction. The three-layer magnetic nanoparticles, when functionalized with oligonucleotides, exhibit the surface chemistry, optical properties, and cooperative DNA binding properties of gold nanoparticle probes, but the magnetic properties of the Fe3O4 inner shell.     

Facile method for synthesis of hollow porous magnetic microspheres with controllable structure

Hollow porous magnetic microspheres with strong magnetization and controllable structure were prepared via a facile electrostatic self-assembly of the positively charged Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles onto the surface of the negatively charged poly(N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide-co-methacrylic acid) (P(MBAAm-co-MAA)) microspheres with subsequent removal of the polymer core through calcination at high temperature. The shell thickness was facilely tuned through the ratio between Fe(3)O(4) and polymer, and the void space was conveniently changed through the size of polymer microspheres. The hollow magnetic microspheres possessed high saturation magnetization value (51.38 emu/g) and porous structure with high specific surface area (108.04 m(2)/g). Based on these properties, the drug loading and release behaviors were investigated, which indicated that the hollow magnetic microspheres exhibited a controlled release process.     

交联核壳结构PBA/PS和PBA/PMMA纳米微球的制备与应用

考察了聚丙烯酸丁酯/聚苯乙烯(PBA/PS)以及聚丙烯酸丁酯/聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PBA/PMMA)交联核壳结构纳米高分子微球的制备方法,并对其在尼龙复合材料中的应用进行了初步研究.结果表明,通过交联剂的引入使粒子核层和壳层内部均形成了高度交联的结构,可以限制亲水性较小的聚苯乙烯(PS)壳层向粒子内部迁移的趋势;制备出的微球平均粒径为40~50 nm,粒径分布很窄.采用饥饿态加料方式加入第二单体不仅可以使微球具有较高的产率和凝胶率,而且可以使其具有更理想的核壳结构和更窄的粒径分布.此外,将合成出的PBA/PMMA核壳粒子对尼龙6基体进行复合的结果表明,由于该微球表面与尼龙6基体之间具有较强的界面相互作用且微球具有较大的形变能力,可以在基体中形成良好的分散,在保持材料强度的同时有效地提高了其刚性和韧性.     

Fabrication of one-dimensional Fe3O4/P(GMA-DVB) nanochains by magnetic-field-induced precipitation polymerization

One-dimensional (1D) magnetic Fe(3)O(4)/P(GMA-DVB) peapod-like nanochains have been successfully synthesized by magnetic-field-induced precipitation polymerization using Fe(3)O(4) as building blocks and P(GMA-DVB) as linker. The Fe(3)O(4) microspheres without surface modification can be arranged with the direction of the external magnetic field in a line via the dipolar interaction between Fe(3)O(4) microspheres and linked permanently via P(GMA-DVB) coating during precipitation polymerization. The length of peapod-like nanochains can be controlled by magnetic field intensity, and the thickness of polymer shell can be tuned by the amount of monomers. Magnetic measurement revealed that these 1D peapod-like nanochains showed highly magnetic sensitivity. In the presence of magnetic field, 1D magnetic Fe(3)O(4)/P(GMA-DVB) peapod-like nanochains can be oriented and aligned along the direction of external magnetic field.     

Hot-injection synthesis of iron/iron oxide core/shell nanoparticles for T2 contrast enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging

Here we report a new, bench-top synthesis for iron/iron oxide core/shell nanoparticles via the thermal decomposition of Fe(η(5)-C(6)H(3)Me(4))(2). The iron/iron oxide core/shell nanoparticles are superparamagnetic at room temperature and show improved negative contrast in T(2)-weighted MR imaging compared to pure iron oxides nanoparticles, and have a transverse relaxivity (r(2)) of 332 mM(-1) s(-1).     

Optically active core/shell nanoparticles prepared using self‐assembled polymer micelle as reactive nanoreactor

This article reports on optically active core/shell nanoparticles constituted by chiral helical polymers and prepared by a novel approach: using self‐assembled polymer micelles as reactive nanoreactors. Such core/shell nanoparticles were composed of optically active helical‐substituted polyacetylene as the core and thermosensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) as the shell. The synthetic procedure is divided into three major steps: (1) synthesis of amphiphilic diblock copolymer bearing polymerizable C[tbond]C bonds via atom transfer radical polymerization, followed by (2) self‐assembly of the diblock copolymer to form polymer micelles; and (3) catalytic emulsion polymerization of substituted acetylene monomer conducted using the polymer micelles as reactive nanoreactors leading to the core/shell nanoparticles. The core/shell nanoparticles simultaneously exhibited remarkable optical activity and thermosensitivity. The facile, versatile synthesis methodology opens new approach toward preparing novel multifunctional core/shell nanoparticles.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012