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.     

Building Nanocomposite Magnets by Coating a Hard Magnetic Core with a Soft Magnetic Shell

Controlling exchange coupling between hard magnetic and soft magnetic phases is the key to the fabrication of advanced magnets with tunable magnetism and high energy density. Using FePt as an example, control over the magnetism in exchange‐coupled nanocomposites of hard magnetic face‐centered tetragonal (fct) FePt and soft magnetic Co (or Ni, Fe₂C) is shown. The dispersible hard magnetic fct‐FePt nanoparticles are first prepared with their coercivity (H_c) reaching 33 kOe. Then core/shell fct‐FePt/Co (or Ni, Fe₂C) nanoparticles are synthesized by reductive thermal decomposition of the proper metal precursors in the presence of fct‐FePt nanoparticles. These core/shell nanoparticles are strongly coupled by exchange interactions and their magnetic properties can be rationally tuned by the shell thickness of the soft phase. This work provides an ideal model system for the study of exchange coupling at the nanoscale, which will be essential for building superstrong magnets for various permanent magnet applications in the future.     

Molecularly imprinted polymer functionalized magnetic Fe3O4 for the highly selective extraction of triclosan

We present a facile strategy to prepare the molecularly imprinted polymers layer on the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with core‐shell structure via sol–gel condensation for recognition and enrichment of triclosan. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were first synthesized by a solvothermal method. Then, template triclosan was self‐assembled with the functional monomer 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane on the silica‐coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in the presence of ethanol and water. Finally, the molecularly imprinted polymers were formed on the surface of silica‐coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles to obtain the product. The morphology, magnetic susceptibility, adsorption, and recognition property of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffractometry, vibrating sample magnetometry, and re‐binding experiments. The magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers showed binding sites with good accessibility, fast adsorption rate, and high adsorption capacity (218.34 μg/g) to triclosan. The selectivity of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers was evaluated by the rebinding capability of triclosan and two other structural analogues (phenol and p‐chlorophenol) in a mixed solution and good selectivity with an imprinting factor of 2.46 was obtained. The application of triclosan removal in environmental samples was demonstrated.     

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     

Polystyrene‐Core–Silica‐Shell Hybrid Particles Containing Gold and Magnetic Nanoparticles

Polystyrene‐core–silica‐shell hybrid particles were synthesized by combining the self‐assembly of nanoparticles and the polymer with a silica coating strategy. The core–shell hybrid particles are composed of gold‐nanoparticle‐decorated polystyrene (PS‐AuNP) colloids as the core and silica particles as the shell. PS‐AuNP colloids were generated by the self‐assembly of the PS‐grafted AuNPs. The silica coating improved the thermal stability and dispersibility of the AuNPs. By removing the “free” PS of the core, hollow particles with a hydrophobic cage having a AuNP corona and an inert silica shell were obtained. Also, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were encapsulated in the core, which resulted in magnetic core–shell hybrid particles by the same strategy. These particles have potential applications in biomolecular separation and high‐temperature catalysis and as nanoreactors.     

A molecularly imprinted polymer-coated nanocomposite of magnetic nanoparticles for estrone recognition

In this study, we synthesized Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles coated estrone-imprinted polymer with controlled size using a semi-covalent imprinting strategy. In this protocol, the estrone-silica monomer complex (EstSi) was synthesized by the reaction 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate with estrone, where the template was linked to the silica coating on the iron oxide core via a thermally reversible bond. The removal of the template by a simple thermal reaction produced specific estrone recognition sites on the surface of silica shell.The resulting estrone-imprinted polymer coating Fe₃O₄ magnetic hybrid nanoparticles exhibit a much higher specific recognition and saturation magnetization. The hybrid nanoparticles have been used for biochemical separation of estrone.     

Interfacing Living Unicellular Algae Cells with Biocompatible Polyelectrolyte‐Stabilised Magnetic Nanoparticles

Green algae are a promising platform for the development of biosensors and bioelectronic devices. Here we report a reliable single‐step technique for the functionalisation of living unicellular green algae Chlorella pyrenoidosa with biocompatible 15 nm superparamagnetic nanoparticles stabilised with poly(allylamine hydrochloride). The magnetised algae cells can be manipulated and immobilised using external permanent magnets. The distribution of the nanoparticles on the cell walls of C. pyrenoidosa was studied by optical and fluorescence microscopy, TEM, SEM and EDX spectroscopy. The viability and the magnetic properties of the magnetised algae are studied in comparison with the native cells. The technique may find a number of potential applications in biotechnology and bioelectronics.

     

Design and characterization of Dendrimer of MNPs as a novel,heterogeneous and reusable nanomagnetic organometallic catalyst for one‐pot synthesis of hydroxyl naphthalene‐1,4‐dione derivatives under solvent‐free conditions

A novel super acidic magnetic nanoparticle as catalyst was successfully synthesized. The preparation of this dendrimer sulfonic acid functionalized γ‐Fe₂O₃ magnetic core‐shell silica nanoparticles as a new recoverable and heterogeneous nanocatalyst was described. The new catalyst was characterized using various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), and thermo gravimetric synthesis (TGA). Moreover, we have examined the catalytic activity of the catalyst for one‐pot, efficient and facile synthesis of 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinone derivatives via a three‐component condensation reaction of 2‐hydroxynaphthalene‐1,4‐dione, aromatic aldehydes and aniline derivatives. High yields of products, short reaction times, waste‐free, mild, ambient and solvent‐free reaction conditions are advantages of this protocol. Also, the catalyst can be easily recovered by an external magnetic and reused several times without significant loss of its catalytic activity.     

The Synthesis of Magnetic Lysozyme‐Imprinted Polymers by Means of Distillation–Precipitation Polymerization for Selective Protein Enrichment

A protein imprinting approach for the synthesis of core–shell structure nanoparticles with a magnetic core and molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) shell was developed using a simple distillation–precipitation polymerization method. In this work, Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were first synthesized through a solvothermal method and then were conveniently surface‐modified with 3‐(methacryloyloxy)propyltrimethoxylsilane as anchor molecules to donate vinyl groups. Next a high‐density MIP shell was coated onto the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles by the copolymerization of functional monomer acrylamide (AAm), cross‐linking agent N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), the initiator azodiisobutyronitrile (AIBN), and protein in acetonitrile heated at reflux. The morphology, adsorption, and recognition properties of the magnetic molecularly imprinted nanoparticles were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and rebinding experiments. The resulting MIP showed a high adsorption capacity (104.8 mg g^?1) and specific recognition (imprinting factor=7.6) to lysozyme (Lyz). The as‐prepared Fe₃O₄@Lyz‐MIP nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 320 nm were coated with an MIP shell that was 20 nm thick, which enabled Fe₃O₄@Lyz‐MIP to easily reach adsorption equilibrium. The high magnetization saturation (40.35 emu g^?1) endows the materials with the convenience of magnetic separation under an external magnetic field and allows them to be subsequently reused. Furthermore, Fe₃O₄@Lyz‐MIP could selectively extract a target protein from real egg‐white samples under an external magnetic field.     

Fe3O4@SiO2@polymer复合粒子的制备及在药物控制释放中的应用

本文通过多步反应制备了一种新型的、多层结构的、多功能的磁性纳米复合粒子, (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@polymer). 纳米复合粒子内核是磁性Fe₃O₄纳米粒子, SiO₂包裹在Fe₃O₄上能够使其稳定分散和保护其不被腐蚀氧化; 中间层是生物相容的聚天冬氨酸(PAsp)载药层; 最外层是亲水的聚乙二醇(PEG)稳定层. 磁性纳米复合粒子各层都是生物相容的, 利用静电作用将抗癌药物阿霉素(DOX)负载在磁性纳米复合粒子中, 通过PAsp的pH响应调节了DOX的释放速率.     

Superassembled Hierarchical Asymmetric Magnetic Mesoporous Nanorobots Driven by Smart Confined Catalytic Degradation

Micro/nanoscale robotics has received great attention in many important fields. However, it is still a great challenge to construct nanorobots simultaneously possessing multifunctionality, well-controlled directionality, and fast and durable motion as well as fully compatible and biodegradable components. Here, a hierarchical, asymmetric, hollow, catalytic, magnetic, and mesoporous nanorobot has been fabricated through a multistep interfacial superassembly strategy. The multilayer composites consist of hollow silica nanoflasks sequentially coated with a highly magnetic responsive Fe₃O₄ layer, a mesoporous silica layer with homogeneous vertical channels, and a layer of catalytic gold nanoparticles on both the inner and outer surfaces. Furthermore, para-nitrophenol was used as a model pollutant to trigger self-motility of the nanoflasks by confined catalytic degradation (CCD). We found that the bottleneck morphology and mesoporous surface both improved the catalytic nanoparticle loading capability and CCD effect, thus enabling efficient self-motility and a durable movement capacity of ∼100 h. In addition, the catalytic performance was improved by 180 % compared with that of solid spherical nanoparticles.     

Facile Synthesis of Boronic Acid‐Functionalized Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Nanocomposites for Highly Specific Enrichment of Glycopeptides

In the work, aminophenylboronic acid (APB)‐functionalized magnetic mesoporous silica, which holds the attractive features of high magnetic responsivity and large surface area, was developed to enrich glycopeptides. At first, magnetic mesoporous silica nanocomposites were prepared. And then, the nanocomposites were functioned with glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GLYMO) for boronic acid immobilization. Due to that the boronic acid group on the surface of magnetic mesoporous silica nanocomposites can form tight yet reversible covalent bond with glycopeptides containing cis‐1,2‐diols groups, the magnetic mesoporous silica nanocomposites were successfully applied to selective enrichment of glycopeptides. APB functionalized magnetic mesoporous silica was also demonstrated to have high selectivity for the glycopeptides in the presence of a 10‐fold excess bovine serum albumin (BSA) over horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the tryptic digest. We also find that magnetic mesoporous silica has better sensitivity in HRP digest compared with that of commercial aminophenylboronic acid‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles beads. The limit of detection for glycopeptides from glycoprotein HRP is about 0.01 ng/µL.     

Selected-Control Synthesis of Monodisperse Fe3O4@C Core–Shell Spheres,Chains, and Rings as High-Performance Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

A method is reported for the first time for the selected-control, large-scale synthesis of monodispersed Fe₃O₄@C core–shell spheres, chains, and rings with tunable magnetic properties based on structural evolution from eccentric Fe₂O₃@poly(acrylic acid) core–shell nanoparticles. The Fe₃O₄@C core–shell spheres, chains, and rings were investigated as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, a possible formation mechanism of Fe₃O₄@C core–shell chains and rings has also been proposed.     

Preparation of composite particles with magnetic silica core and fluorescent polymer shell

Dual functions of magnetic and fluorescent properties were created in composite particles that incorporated magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles in particle cores of silica and fluorescent pyrene in particle shells of polystyrene. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were prepared with a conventional homogeneous precipitation method and surface modified with a coupling agent of carboxyethylsilanetriol. The silica particles incorporating Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized with a modified Stöber method in which the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were added to a system of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS)/ammonia/water/ethanol. Then, the magnetite/silica composite particles were coated with the pyrene/polystyrene shell in a soap-free emulsion polymerization, which was conducted in the presence of pyrene in a mixed solvent of water/ethanol. The composite particles prepared in the mixed solvent had both magnetic and fluorescent properties. The fluorescent spectrum of the particles with Fe₃O₄ was very similar to that without Fe₃O₄, indicating that the magnetic component within the core particles scarcely interfered with the fluorescent emission from the polymer shell.     

Fe3O4@dopa (dopa = dopamine hydrochloride) functionalized Mn(III) Schiff base complex: A promising magnetically separable heterogeneous catalyst for oxidative transformations

A chiral Schiff base complex has been prepared by treating (R)-1,2-diaminopropane with 3,5-dichlorosalicylaldehyde in ethanol, followed by addition of manganese chloride hexahydrate to generate a homogeneous catalyst, [MnL(Cl)(H₂O)] (HMN). Crystal structure of the complex reveals its mononuclear nature. Circular dichroism (CD) studies indicate that the ligand and its corresponding complex contain an asymmetric center. The catalytic activity of HMN toward epoxidation of alkenes, oxidation of alcohols and oxidation of alkanes has been investigated in the presence of iodosylbenzenediacetate (PhI(OAc)₂), in acetonitrile. In the present work we found yields to be much higher compared to our previous approaches. For further adaptation, we attached our efficient homogeneous catalyst with surface modified magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@dopa) and thereby obtained a new magnetically separable nanocatalyst Fe₃O₄@dopa@MnLCl (FDM). This catalyst has been characterized and its oxidation ability assessed in similar conditions as those used for the homogeneous catalyst. Enantiomeric excess in epoxide yield reveals retention of chirality of the active site of Fe₃O₄@dopa@MnLCl. The catalyst can be recovered by magnetic separation and recycled several times without significant loss of catalytic activity.     

Green bio‐based synthesis of Fe2O3@SiO2‐IL/Ag hollow spheres and their catalytic utility for ultrasonic‐assisted synthesis of propargylamines and benzo[b]furans

A novel magnetic hybrid system containing nano‐magnetic Fe₂O₃ hollow spheres, silica shell, [pmim]Cl ionic liquid and silver nanoparticles was synthesized and characterized. The silver nanoparticles were prepared via biosynthesis using Achillea millefolium flower as reducing and stabilizing agent. The hybrid system was successfully used as an efficient and reusable catalyst for promoting green ultrasonic‐assisted A³ and KA² coupling reactions as well as benzo[b]furan synthesis. It was found that decoration of the magnetic core with non‐magnetic moieties decreased the maximum saturation magnetization. However, the catalyst was still superparamagnetic and could be simply separated from the reaction mixture using an external magnet. The heterogeneous nature of the catalyst was also confirmed by studying its reusability and stability and the leaching of silver. Use of aqueous media, high yields, short reaction times, broad substrate tolerance and low required amount of catalyst are the merits of this protocol.     

Anchoring of Cu (II)-Schiff base complex on magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles: catalytic efficacy in one-pot synthesis of 5-substituted-1H-tetrazoles,antibacterial activity evaluation and immobilization of α-amylase

Magnetic mesoporous silica nanocomposite, Fe₃O₄@MCM-41, was prepared and functionalized with N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (AEAPS). Then Schiff base grafted nanoparticles were synthesized by the condensation of 5,5'-methylene bis (salicylaldehyde) and then benzhydrazide with Fe₃O₄@MCM-41-AEAPS. Finally, by adding Cu (CH₃COOH)₂.H₂O, the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) functionalized with Cu (II) Schiff base complex were synthesized. The new organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposite was characterized by FT-IR, PXRD, AAS, BET, TGA, VSM, FE-SEM, HRTEM and EDX techniques. Then, the performance of this copper based magnetic nanocatalyst was investigated for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazole derivatives using one pot three-component reactions of various aldehydes, hydroxyl amine hydrochloride and sodium azide. The catalyst can be easily isolated from the reaction mixture by applying an external magnet and reused for at least 5 times without significant loss in catalytic activity. Also, the antibacterial activity of the streptomycin loaded magnetic nanoparticles against Gram-positive (S. aureus) and Gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria in the presence and absence of a magnetic field were studied. Results revealed that when these materials exposed to the magnetic field, bacteriostatic activity of nanocomposites was increased. Furthermore, the enzyme immobilization ability of the synthesized compounds was investigated and the results showed that these nanoparticles efficiently immobilized amylase enzyme.     

Air stable Fe and Fe?Co magnetic fluids—synthesis and characterization

Thermolysis of Fe(CO)₅ and Co₂(CO)₈, dissolved in tetrahydronaphthalene, in the presence of aluminum trialkyl leads to uniform‐sized Fe or Fe? Co nanoparticles, respectively. Subsequent treatment with very dilute oxygen forms a shell which protects the metallic or alloyed core of the particles against further oxidation. With the help of surfactants, for instance oleic acid or cashew nut shell liquid, the particles can be peptized in organic solvents like toluene or kerosene, resulting in magnetic fluids with extraordinary magnetic properties. The saturation of magnetization, M_s, of the fluids was determined by specific magnetization. The sizes and structure of the particles were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, and Moessbauer analysis showed that the core of the particles was metallic or alloyed, respectively. The particle surface termination was studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetic molecularly imprinted composite for the selective solid‐phase extraction of p‐aminosalicylic acid followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

A new method for the selective extraction of p‐aminosalicylic acid from aqueous and urine samples has been developed using magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles before determination by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were first prepared through the chemical coprecipitation of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ and then coated with a vinyl shell. Subsequently, a layer of molecularly imprinted polymers was grafted onto the vinyl‐modified magnetic nanoparticles by precipitation polymerization. FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and thermogravimetric analysis were applied to characterize the sorbent properties. Moreover, the predominant parameters affecting the magnetic solid phase extraction such as sample pH, sorption and elution times, the amount of sorbent, and composition and volume of eluent were investigated thoroughly. The maximum sorption capacity of the imprinted polymer toward p‐aminosalicylic acid was 70.9 mg/g, which is 4.5 times higher than that of the magnetic nonimprinted polymer. The magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles were applied for the selective extraction of p‐aminosalicylic acid from aqueous and urine samples and satisfactory results were achieved. The results illustrate that magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles have a great potential in the extraction of p‐aminosalicylic acid from environmental and biological matrices.     

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.