Synthesis and functionalization of magnetite nanoparticles with different amino-functional alkoxysilanes

Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles show great promise for many biotechnological applications. This paper addresses the synthesis and characterization of SPIO nanoparticles grafted with three different alkoxysilanes: 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES), 3-aminopropyl-ethyl-diethoxysilane (APDES) and 3-aminopropyl-diethy-ethoxysilane (APES). SPIO nanoparticles with an average particle diameter of 10nm were prepared by chemical sonoprecipitation. As confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, silylation of these nanoparticles occurs through a two-step process. Decreasing the number of alkoxide groups reduced the concentration of free amino groups on the SPIO surface ([SPIO-NH2]—APTES>APDES>APES). This phenomenon results from steric contributions and the formation of H-bonded amines provided by the ethyl groups present in the APDES and APES molecules. A simulation of SPIO nanoparticles in a saline physiologic solution shows that the ethyl groups impart larger steric stability onto the ferrofluids, which reduces aggregation. The magnetization (M) versus magnetic field (H) curves show that the synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles display superparamagnetic behavior. The zero-field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) curves show that the changes in the blocking temperature depend on the alkoxysilane-functionalized particle surface. ► Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were grafted with different alkoxysilanes. ► The decrease of alkoxide group number reduced the concentration of free amino group. ► We correlate the influence of the amino and ethyl groups with their colloidal property. ► Inter-particles aggregation analyzed by magnetic measurement.