Upon a magnetic composite preparation based on magnetite and poly(succinimide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) shell

Taking into account that magnetic particles with suitable surface characteristics have a high potential for the use in a lot of in vitro and in vivo applications, in the study is presented the in situ preparation of a core-shell magnetic composite based on the magnetite core and the shell composed from the poly(succinimide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer. The average particle size of the synthesized magnetic microspheres is in the range of 6.5-8.8 μm with a magnetite content of around 11%. The saturation magnetization of the microspheres was found 26.8 emu/g, the magnetic microspheres being characterized by superparamagnetic properties. The particles have combined properties of high magnetic saturation and biocompatibility and interactive functions at the surface through the block copolymer shell. The surface of the magnetic particles has also the possibility for further functionalization or the attachment of various bioactive molecules after the hydrolysis of the succinimide cycle and the resulting carboxylic group.     

Enhancing remote controlled heating characteristics in hydrophilic magnetite nanoparticles via facile co-precipitation

Citric acid coated magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized using a one-step and two-step co-precipitation method at different temperatures. The stability of the nanoparticles in aqueous media was compared. The magnetic heating characteristics in an alternating magnetic field were examined and specific absorption rates were determined. The nanoparticles were characterized by various techniques (Fourier transform infrared, UV spectrophotometry, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometry). The temperature of synthesis and mode of functionalizing the particles affected their physical and magnetic properties. Higher temperatures led to increased specific absorption rates for both methods but more stable hydrophilic superparamagnetic nanoparticles were obtained in the one-step method.     

Magnetic properties of magnetite prepared by ball-milling of hematite with iron

Magnetic properties of magnetite powder prepared by ball-milling of stoichiometric mixture of hematite and iron in an inert atmosphere are reported. Hysteresis loops, isothermal remanence acquisition curves and temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility measurements are used to characterise this material and to examine the effects of heating in air and in an argon atmosphere. Ball-milling of hematite with iron during periods ranging from 30 min up to almost 5 h yields magnetite which exhibits high magnetic hardness, characterised by coercive force three times higher than that typical for single-domain natural magnetites. However, the magnetite produced is unstable upon heating in air, reoxidising almost completely to hematite. Heating in an argon atmosphere causes enhancement of typical magnetic parameters, but decreases the magnetic hardness.     

Preparation and characterization of magnetic levan particles as matrix for trypsin immobilization

Magnetic levan was synthesized by co-precipitating D-fructofuranosyl homopolysaccharide with a solution containing Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in alkaline conditions at 100 °C. The magnetic levan particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), magnetization measurements, X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). Afterwards, magnetic levan particles were functionalized by NaIO₄ oxidation and used as matrices for trypsin covalent immobilization. Magnetite and magnetic levan particles were both heterogeneous in shape and levan-magnetite presented bigger sizes compared to magnetite according to SEM images. Magnetic levan particles exhibited a magnetization 10 times lower as compared to magnetite ones, probably, due to the coating layer. XRD diffractogram showed that magnetite is the dominant phase in the magnetic levan. Infrared spectroscopy showed characteristics absorption bands of levan and magnetite (O-H, C-O-C and Fe-O bonds). The immobilized trypsin derivative was reused 10 times and lost 16% of its initial specific activity only. Therefore, these magnetic levan particles can be proposed as an alternative matrices for enzyme immobilization.     

Effect of poly (ethylene glycol) coating on the magnetic and thermal properties of biocompatible magnetic liquids

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of poly(ethylene glycol) surface-active coating on the magnetic and thermal properties of biocompatible magnetic liquids. The data were analyzed using the high-temperature approximation model taking into account polydispersity of a system. Heating ability of the PEG-stabilized magnetic fluids was determined by the calorimetric measurement of specific absorption rate (SAR) at a frequency of 750 kHz and a magnetic field of 0-2 kA/m. MF-Oleate/PEG heating properties were found to be comparable to the ones of MF-Oleate. The PEG shell thus does not seem to effect the thermal characteristics and SAR values and might make the magnetic fluid useful for application in hyperthermia treatment.     

Study of cerium doped magnetite (Fe3O4:Ce)/PMMA nanocomposites

The paper presents the synthesis and properties of polymer nanocomposite material based on cerium doped magnetite (Fe₃O₄) as filler material and poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) as host matrix. The magnetite (Fe₃O₄) particles were synthesized by co-precipitation route using stable ferrous and ferric salts with ammonium hydroxide as precipitating agent. Further, they doped by cerium oxide (CeO₂) non-stoichiometrically. The composite material was fabricated by solvent evaporation method. Here 2.4 GHz microwaves were used to study the effect of microwaves heating on polymerization. The phase and crystal structure is determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The average crystallite size of the composites varies from 28 to 35 nm. The chemical structure is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The magnetic and thermal properties are investigated by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermal study shows that the microwave heated samples possess higher glass transition temperature (T_g). The magnetic results suggest that coercivity (H_C) and squareness (M_r/M_s) of the loop increases with increasing doping percent of cerium.     

Biocompatible high-moment FeCo-Au magnetic nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia treatment optimization

A great deal of attention has been paid to the use of magnetite nanoparticles as heating elements in the research of magnetic fluid hyperthermia. However, these particles have a relatively low magnetization and as a result, have low heating efficiency as well as difficulties in detection applications. To maximize heating efficiency we propose and show the use of high-moment Fe(Co)-Au core-shell nanoparticles. Using a physical vapor nanoparticle-deposition technique the high-moment nanoparticles were synthesized. The water-soluble particles were placed in an AC magnetic field of variable magnetic field frequencies. The temperature rise was measured and compared to theory.     

Ferrofluids of magnetic multicore nanoparticles for biomedical applications

For a variety of magnetically based biomedical applications, it is advantageous to use sedimentation stable suspensions of relatively large (d>20 nm) magnetic core-shell nanoparticles. Water-based suspensions of multicore nanoparticles were prepared by coating of the particles (synthesized by means of a modified alkaline precipitation method) with a carboxymethyldextran shell. The resulting ferrofluids were structurally and magnetically characterized. It was found that these fluids show a specific heating power of about 60 W/g (f=400 kHz, H=10 kA/m). This value was increased up to 330 W/g by a simple fractionation method based on centrifugation. Finally, the cellular uptake of the multicore nanoparticles was demonstrated.     

Towards ferrofluids with enhanced magnetization

It is well known that the saturation magnetization of a sterically stabilized magnetic fluid (ferrofluid) is limited by the presence of a surfactant coating on the surface, and in some cases, by an effectively demagnetized surface layer in the solid magnetic particle. These surface layers take up a disproportionate volume in the colloidal dispersion thereby severely limiting the volume fraction of the core magnetic substance. This work proposes and analyzes Janus particles having the objective of increasing the magnetic loading beyond the present day constraints. Using numerical computation of the virial coefficient it is calculated that the magnetic volume fraction of magnetite ferrofluids might be increased by a factor approaching 2 and that of iron-based ferrofluids by a factor of 3.     

Synthesis and characterization of magnetite particles covered with α-trietoxysilil-polydimethylsiloxane

New silicon magnetite ferrofluids were prepared by dispersing siloxane-coated magnetite particles in polydimethylsiloxane with low or high molecular weights. Ferrofluids are stable colloidal dispersions of ultra fine covered magnetite particles, which may be selected for a specific application. We demonstrated new methods of stabilizing the magnetic particles by reacting the hydroxyl groups on the surface of magnetite particles with terminal ethoxy groups of polydimethylsiloxane, followed by their dispersion in silicon fluids. The new silicon ferrofluids were tested from the morphology, magnetic properties/losses, and rheological properties point of view.     

Optimization of nanoparticle core size for magnetic particle imaging

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a powerful new research and diagnostic imaging platform that is designed to image the amount and location of superparamagnetic nanoparticles in biological tissue. Here, we present mathematical modeling results that show how MPI sensitivity and spatial resolution both depend on the size of the nanoparticle core and its other physical properties, and how imaging performance can be effectively optimized through rational core design. Modeling is performed using the properties of magnetite cores, since these are readily produced with a controllable size that facilitates quantitative imaging. Results show that very low detection thresholds (of a few nanograms Fe₃O₄) and sub-millimeter spatial resolution are possible with MPI.     

One single-step synthesis of multifunctional methylene blue-coated magnetite nanoparticles

This work reports the preparation of hybrid nanoparticles with magnetic and fluorescent properties. The material is based on magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) coated with fluorophore methylene blue (MB). The synthesis of a multifunctional material with magnetic and fluorescent features is carried out in a single step by electrooxidation. The effect of the presence of methylene blue in the synthetic medium is discussed. The presence of MB polymer at the NP surface is demonstrated with visible UV, infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The NPs morphology, structure and size are determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties are measured with a vibrating sample magnetometer (VMS). In overall, the results show that magnetite NPs generated electrochemically in the presence of MB present a core/shell structure, being the NP at the core surrounded by methylene blue polymer, leading to a nanocomposite or hybrid material.     

Gold-magnetite nanocomposite materials formed via sonochemical methods

Treatment of preformed magnetite nanoparticles with ultrasound in aqueous media with dissolved tetrachloroauric acid resulted in the formation of gold–magnetite nanocomposite materials. These materials maintained the morphology of the original magnetite particles. The loading of gold particles could be controlled by adjusting experimental parameters, including the addition of small amounts of solvent modifiers such as methanol, diethylene glycol, and oleic acid. The nanocomposite materials were magnetic and exhibited optical properties similar to pure gold nanoparticles.     

In vitro study of magnetic particle seeding for implant-assisted-magnetic drug targeting: Seed and magnetic drug carrier particle capture

An implant-assisted-magnetic drug targeting system using seed particles as the implant to increase the capture of magnetic drug carrier particles (MDCPs) in capillary tissue was studied in vitro. Dextran-coated magnetite particles were used as seeds, polydivinylbenzene magnetite particles were used as MDCPs, and a polyethylene porous cylinder was used as surrogate capillary tissue. The results showed that seeds could be magnetically captured first and then used to magnetically capture the MDCPs, causing a significant increase in their collection compared to when the seeds were absent.     

Dynamics of cylindrical conducting shells in a pulsed longitudinal magnetic field

A theoretical model is constructed for describing the motion of a cylindrical conducting shell in a pulsed longitudinal magnetic field generated by an external solenoid. The model takes into account the dynamics of the electric circuit (with the solenoid as its part), inertial and strength properties of the shell, magnetic field diffusion, and heating of the solenoid and shell materials. Difference schemes are constructed for the numerical solution of the system of the defining differential equations, and the criteria of their stability are analyzed. The model is used for studying magnetic-p ulse compression of hollow shells, as well as magnetic field compression in their inner cavity, and the effect of controlling parameters such as the starting charge voltage of the energy storage system and the size of the shell being compressed on the process dynamics is analyzed. Various approximations for calculating the shell heating (adiabatic approximation and uniform heating approximation) are analyzed in comparison with rigorous calculations. The possibility of conducting shell expansion due to magnetic field diffusion into the inner cavity is investigated.     

Simple and facile approach to synthesize magnetite nanoparticles and assessment of their effects on blood cells

In this paper, a very simple and facile approach for the large scale synthesis of uniform and size-controllable single-domain magnetite nanoparticles is reported. These magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized via thermal decomposition of a ferric nitrate/ethylene glycol solution. The structural and morphological properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were carefully studied. Nearly spherical nanoparticles with inverted spinel structure and average particle and crystallite sizes smaller than 20 nm were obtained. The magnetic measurements revealed that magnetite nanoparticles have a magnetic saturation value near that of the bulk magnetite. The erythrocyte cytotoxicity assays showed no hemolytic potential of the samples containing magnetite nanoparticles, indicating no cytotoxic activity on human erythrocytes, which makes these interesting for biotechnological applications.     

Synthesis and characterization of multifunctional silica core-shell nanocomposites with magnetic and fluorescent functionalities

Multifunctional core-shell nanocomposites with a magnetic core and a silica shell doped with lanthanide chelate have been prepared by a simple method. First, citric acid-modified magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized by a chemical coprecipitation method. Then the magnetite nanoparticles were coated with silica shells doped with terbium (Tb³⁺) complex by a modified Stöber method based on hydrolyzing and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and a silane precursor. These multifunctional nanocomposites are potentially useful in a variety of biological areas such as bio-imaging, bio-labeling and bioassays because they can be simultaneously manipulated with an external magnetic field and exhibit unique phosphorescence properties.     

Optimal design of nanomagnets for targeted hyperthermia

We have numerically simulated the dynamic response of single-domain nanomagnets to alternating magnetic fields and discuss nanometer-sized thermal seeds suitable for selectively targeted magnetic hyperthermia. When we assign priority to the easy delivery and biological safety of these fields, the maximum heating power is obtained by the irradiation of a weak field at a medium frequency (∼1 MHz) on almost spherical magnetite nanomagnets with a diameter of approximately 20 nm. On the other hand, the irradiation of the amplified field at a low frequency (∼100 kHz) is more effective if the neural stimulation is allowable.     

Preparation and characterization of hydrophobic superparamagnetic magnetite gel

The present study describes the preparation and analysis of a highly concentrated hydrophobic oleic acid-coated magnetite gel. By contrast to conventional techniques to prepare magnetic fluids, herein the oleic acid was introduced as a reactant during the initial crystallization phase of magnetite that was obtained by the co-precipitation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) salts by addition of ammonium hydroxide. The resulting gelatinous hydrophobic magnetite was characterized in terms of morphology, particle size, magnetic properties, crystal structure, and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity. This magnetic gel exhibited superparamagnetism with a saturation magnetization of 46.0 emu/g at room temperature and could be well dispersed both in polar and nonpolar carrier liquids. This protocol produced highly concentrated hydrophobic magnetic gel for biopolymer encapsulations.