Synthesis and characterization of nanomagnetite particles and their polymer coated forms

Magnetite, poly(St/PEG-EEM/DMAPM) and poly(St/PEG-MA/DMAPM) covered magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized successfully and characterized by several techniques including SAXS. [Display omitted] ► Magnetites, keep their magnetic property after coating with poly(St/PEG-EEM/DMAPM) and poly(St/PEG-MA/DMAPM). ► Particle diameter obtained from SAXS measurements perfectly matches diameters obtained from curve-fitting programs. Particles are in nanometer size range and their particle size becomes larger after polymer coating. ► SAXS results showed that magnetites are in spherical shape, however polymer coated samples are elipsoidal. Superparamagnetic nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation of ferrous (Fe 2+) and ferric (Fe 3+) aqueous solution by a base. Nanomagnetite particles were coated with poly(St/PEG-EEM/DMAPM) and poly(St/PEG-MA/DMAPM) layer by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization. Chemical structure of nanoparticles was characterized by both FTIR and 1H NMR. Particle morphologies were determined by Zeta Sizer, DLS, XRD and SAXS. Structural analysis showed that after polymer coating nanomagnetite particles kept their superparamagnetic property. Besides the synthesized magnetites, polymer coated forms of these particles are more biocompatible, well dispersable and uniform. These properties make them a very strong candidate for bioengineering applications, such as bioseparation, gene transfer.