Synthesis and characterization of biocompatible, non-toxic dopamine coated novel flower shapes core (Fe)/ porous hollow shell (Fe3O4) super paramagnetic Fe/Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Superparamagnetic flower shaped Fe/Fe3O4 nanoparticles with iron core and hollow and porous shell were synthesized by thermal decomposition of iron penta carbonyl. Controlled oxidation of these nanoparticles was done by acid... [ view full abstract ]

Superparamagnetic flower shaped Fe/Fe3O4 nanoparticles with iron core and hollow and porous shell were synthesized by thermal decomposition of iron penta carbonyl. Controlled oxidation of these nanoparticles was done by acid etching. Fe/Fe3O4 core shell iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesizing first as the template material at annealing temperature of 120˚C and solution based conversion of Fe/PHFe3O4 nanoparticles was done through two way annealing progression of heating time, first at 100˚C then at 250˚C with constant heating rate of 5˚C/min. Phase confirmation of these nanoparticles were done by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and morphological structures were analysed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and higher resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and showed that nanostructures were approximately in 16 nm to 20 nm in size. While the opening pores in the shell were ~ 1-3nm in size and the hollow cavity between iron core and shell is about ~ 2nm hollow and porous Fe/Fe3O4 nanoparticles were surface functionalized by dopamine polymer. The dopamine coating was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Nanoparticles showed magnetic saturation of 38 emu/g analysed by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and showing the magnetic property as well after coating with dopamine. The as prepared nanoparticles are hydrophilic to aqueous media and are not toxic to cells (Caco-2 and Hep G2).These nanoparticles can be exploited for a number of applications including target definite therapeutic applications by encapsulating the required drug according to disease profile and can be used a nanomedicine for the iron deficiency control as by possessing large surface area and nano-sized particle profile.
Key words
Core shell nanoparticles, SPIONS, super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, dopamine