Preparation of magnetic ion-exchange resins by the suspension polymerization of styrene with magnetite

Fabrication of surface charge pH-sensitive multi-bumpy small magnetic bead with ultrahigh magnetic content and its ultrahigh loading capacity and salt-free rapid isolation for DNA

Gene transfection vector polyethyleneimine (PEI) was used as a cross-linking agent to crosslink the surface epoxidized magnetic nanoparticles and aggregate them to form a small magnetic bead (MB) with multiple nanoscale bumps on its surface (i.e. the multi-bumpy small magnetic bead, mbsMB). As there is a very low content of non-magnetic components (the cross-linking agent) in the magnetic bead, the mbsMB has an ultrahigh magnetic content of 81.95 % and a smaller particle size of 1.4 μm when compared with the usual medical MB. Such a small MB also has a strong magnetic force allowing it to reach the rapid separating ability of the commonly used larger medical MB which has 8 times its volume. The mbsMB has an obvious pH sensitivity of positive and negative surface charges and the salt-free isolation of DNA has been achieved based on the electrostatic interactions between mbsMB and DNA. This avoids the desalting of the isolated DNA as well as the effects of high salt concentration on its long chain helix structure. Whether in an acidic absorbing medium, an alkalinous desorbing one or a near neutral particle-storing one, the mbsMB will have obvious surface electrostatic charges. There is also its good suspension stability in an aqueous medium which provides a good condition for isolating of DNA suitable for efficiently adsorbing and desorbing. The as-prepared MB has a unique surface structure and some excellent properties, all suitable for adsorbing DNA. In addition, a large amount of commonly used gene transfection vector PEI can be cross-linked and bonded on the surface of mbsMB, whilst still having an excellent DNA-loading ability. In summary, the mbsMB has an ultrahigh capacity of 629.49 mg/g for DNA load.

Mechanistic Investigation of Surfactant-Free Emulsion Polymerization Using Magnetite Nanoparticles Modified by Citric Acid as Stabilizers

Fe₃O₄-armored latexes were successfully synthesized by using modified Fe₃O₄ (IO) nanoparticles as stabilizers without a surfactant. The particle size, conversion, and particle number density of latex particles during the formation process were studied in detail. The surface charge density and the particle size evolutions of latexes were studied by dynamic light scattering. The use of scanning electron microscopy confirmed that IO nanoparticles were adsorbed on the polymer particle surface. Furthermore, the efficiency of iron oxide incorporation (IE) was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of pH, solid content, and zeta potential of IO nanoparticles on the results of polymerization was also discussed in detail. Attempts were made to explain the change of latex particle surface charge density by using Guy-Chapman-Stern's electric double layer theory. In addition, the effect of ionic strength of ammonium sulfate on particle number density of latex particles was described using P. John Feeney's equation. Finally, the mechanistic insights were discussed by studying polymerization kinetics.

Bioaccumulation investigation of bisphenol A in HepG2 cells and zebrafishes enabled by cobalt magnetic polystyrene microsphere derived carbon based magnetic solid-phase extraction

A magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) technique coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed and used for bioaccumulation investigation of bisphenol A (BPA) in HepG2 cells and zebrafishes. Cobalt magnetic polystyrene microsphere derived carbon (C-Co@PST) as an adsorbent was prepared by in situ polymerization reaction and further annealing treatment. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were employed to confirm successful synthesis of C-Co@PST. A series of extraction parameters including the amount of the sorbent, the type of elute, extraction time and elution time were investigated to achieve high extraction efficiency. C-Co@PST based MSPE combined with HPLC was successfully established for bioaccumulation research of BPA in living creatures. It was found that the bioconcentration values of BPA in HepG2 cells underwent an increase, then a decrease, and finally reached an equilibrium level of 11.60 μg kg-1 at 8 h. The concentration of BPA in zebrafishes increased ranging from 6.05 μg kg-1 to 31.84 μg kg-1 over a culture time from 1 h to 12 h. Furthermore, linear and exponential models were employed to analyse the bioconcentration variation of BPA in organisms over the exposure time. Mathematical models have been developed to predict the transfer characteristics of BPA.

Magnetically Responsive Assemblies of Polymer-Brush-Decorated Nanoparticle Clusters That Exhibit Structural Color

The development of new magnetic materials for applications such as magnetic-driven drug delivery, next-generation display materials, and magnetic resonance imaging is an important objective. To that end, we synthesized monodispersed, magnetically responsive particles grafted with well-defined polymer brushes and investigated the formation of their ordered arrays in organic solvents in response to a magnetic field. To achieve this, we prepared monodispersed magnetic nanoparticle clusters (MNCs) composed of large numbers of superparamagnetic ferrite ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. The MNCs were subsequently coated with thin silica layers through the hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane. The colloidal particles were surface-modified with initiating groups for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using a triethoxysilane derivative with an ATRP initiation site. To demonstrate the ability of the synthesized particles to produce well-defined polymer brushes on their surfaces, the ATRP-initiator-functionalized silica-coated MNCs were subjected to surface-initiated ATRP with methyl methacrylate. This polymerization proceeded in a living fashion to produce graft polymers with targeted molar masses and narrow molar mass distributions. The average graft density was determined to be 0.65 chains/nm², which confirms the formation of concentrated polymer brushes on the MNCs. The hybrid particles were analyzed by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy techniques, which revealed excellent uniformity and solvent dispersibility. A suspension of the polymer-brush-decorated MNCs in acetone quickly developed intense structural color in response to approaching a magnet that depended on the strength of the magnetic field.

Development of a new FT-IR method for the determination of iron oxide. Optimization of the synthesis of suitable magnetic nanoparticles as sorbent in magnetic solid phase extraction

Optimized 13 nm MNPs with 70.5% iron, determined by a simple FT-IR strategy for routine Fe₃O₄ determination in solid MNPs.

Microesferas magnéticas à base de poli(metacrilato de metila-co-divinilbenzeno) obtidas por polimerização em suspensão

Microesferas poliméricas à base de metacrilato de metila (MMA), divinilbenzeno (DVB) e material magnético foram preparadas via polimerização por suspensão. Foi estudada a influência da polimerização em suspensão ou semisuspensão, concentração de material magnético e concentração de divinilbenzeno sobre as características das microesferas obtidas. As partículas poliméricas foram caracterizadas por espectroscopia vibracional na região do infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FT-IR), microscopia eletrônica de varredura, analisador de área específica e porosimetria, espalhamento de luz e magnetometria de amostra vibrante. O material magnético também foi caracterizado por FT-IR, além de difratometria de raios X e espectroscopia Mössbauer. Foram obtidas, com sucesso, microesferas poliméricas magnéticas à base de MMA e DVB (P(MMA-co-DVB)-M), contendo partículas magnéticas tanto na superfície quanto no interior da microesfera. As partículas obtidas através de polimerização em semisuspensão apresentaram tamanhos menores e distribuição de tamanhos de partículas mais estreita que as partículas obtidas através de suspensões convencionais. Os compósitos apresentaram um comportamento superparamagnético. As microesferas magnéticas sintetizadas neste trabalho têm potencial para serem modificadas e aplicadas como resinas de troca iônica ou suportes catalíticos.

Tailored functionalization of iron oxide nanoparticles for MRI, drug delivery, magnetic separation and immobilization of biosubstances

In this critical review, we outline various covalent and non-covalent approaches for the functionalization of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). Tuning the surface chemistry and design of magnetic nanoparticles are described in relation to their applicability in advanced medical technologies and biotechnologies including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, targeted drug delivery, magnetic separations and immobilizations of proteins, enzymes, antibodies, targeting agents and other biosubstances. We review synthetic strategies for the controlled preparation of IONPs modified with frequently used functional groups including amine, carboxyl and hydroxyl groups as well as the preparation of IONPs functionalized with other species, e.g., epoxy, thiol, alkane, azide, and alkyne groups. Three main coupling strategies for linking IONPs with active agents are presented: (i) chemical modification of amine groups on the surface of IONPs, (ii) chemical modification of bioactive substances (e.g. with fluorescent dyes), and (iii) the activation of carboxyl groups mainly for enzyme immobilization. Applications for drug delivery using click chemistry linking or biodegradable bonds are compared to non-covalent methods based on polymer modified condensed magnetic nanoclusters. Among many challenges, we highlight the specific surface engineering allowing both therapeutic and diagnostic applications (theranostics) of IONPs and magnetic/metallic hybrid nanostructures possessing a huge potential in biocatalysis, green chemistry, magnetic bioseparations and bioimaging.

When magnetic catalyst meets magnetic reactor: etherification of FCC light gasoline as an example

The application of elaborately designed magnetic catalysts has long been limited to ease their separation from the products only. In this paper, we for the first time employed a magnetic sulphonated poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) resin catalyst on a magnetically stabilized-bed (MSB) reactor to enhance the etherification of fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) light gasoline, one of the most important reactions in petroleum refining industry. We demonstrated that the catalytic performance of the magnetic acid resin catalyst on the magnetic reactor is substantially enhanced as compared to its performance on a conventional fixed-bed reactor under otherwise identical operation conditions. The magnetic catalyst has the potential to be loaded and unloaded continuously on the magnetic reactor, which will greatly simplify the current complex industrial etherification processes.

Monodispersed magnetic polystyrene beads with excellent colloidal stability and strong magnetic response

Monodispersed polystyrene beads incorporated with Fe(3) O(4) nanoparticles are prepared via dispersion polymerization. The resultant magnetic beads present well-defined composite structures, excellent colloidal stability, and strong magnetic response. The formation mechanism for the monodispersed composite beads, incorporated with preformed Fe(3) O(4) nanocrystals, was investigated. The potential applications of the monodispersed magnetic beads in bacteria capturing were demonstrated. After being coated with anti-Salmonella CSA-1 antibody, the magnetic beads show capturing efficiencies of >99.4% in isolating Salmonella sp.

Alkaline earth metal cation exchange: effect of mobile counterion and dissolved organic matter

The goal of this research was to provide an improved understanding of the interactions between alkaline earth metals and DOM under conditions that are encountered during drinking water treatment with particular focus on cation exchange. Both magnetically enhanced and nonmagnetic cation exchange resins were converted to Na, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba mobile counterion forms as a novel approach to investigate the exchange behavior between the cations and the interactions between the cations and DOM. The results show that cation exchange is a robust process for removal of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) considering competition with cations on the resin surface and presence of DOM. DOM was actively involved during the cation exchange process through complexation, adsorption, and coprecipitation reactions. In addition to advancing the understanding of ion exchange processes for water treatment, the results of this work are applicable to membrane pretreatment to minimize fouling, treatment of membrane concentrate, and precipitative softening.

High-capacity adsorption of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution using magnetic microspheres by surface dendrimer graft modification

The magnetic poly-(methyl acrylate-divinyl benzene) (MA-DVB) microspheres with micron size were synthesized by modified suspension polymerization method. Through stepwise reaction with methyl acrylate (MA) and ethylenediamine (EDA), the magnetic poly-(MA-DVB) microspheres with surface dendrimer containing amino groups were obtained. The above mentioned magnetic microspheres were applied for the adsorption of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution. The effects of solution pH value, adsorption temperature, and adsorption and desorption of Cr(VI) were studied. The results showed that the optimum pH value for Cr(VI) adsorption was found at pH=3, and the adsorption capacity increased with the increase in adsorption temperature. The adsorption equilibrium of Cr(VI) was obtained in about 12 min and more than 98% of adsorbed Cr(VI) were desorbed from the magnetic microspheres in about 30 min using Na(2)SO(4) solution. By fitting the experimental data to Langmuir equation, the maximum capacity for Cr(VI) of magnetic poly-(MA-DVB) microspheres was estimated at 231.8 mg/g.

Preparation and characterization of chitosan poly(acrylic acid) magnetic microspheres

Spherical microparticles, capable of responding to magnetic fields, were prepared by encapsulating dextran-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles into chitosan poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) microspheres template. The obtained magnetic microspheres were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetry (TG). The results showed that the microspheres were formed and demonstrated magnetic behavior in an applied magnetic field. In addition, magnetite particles were well encapsulated and the composite particles have high magnetite content, which was more than 40%.

Synthesis and Characterization of Multifunctional Chitosan- MnFe₂O4 Nanoparticles for Magnetic Hyperthermia and Drug Delivery

Multifunctional nanoparticles composed of MnFe₂O₄ were encapsulated in chitosan for investigation of system to combine magnetically-triggered drug delivery and localized hyperthermia for cancer treatment with the previously published capacity of MnFe₂O₄ to be used as an efficient MRI contrast agent for cancer diagnosis. This paper focuses on the synthesis and characterization of magnetic MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles, their dispersion in water and their incorporation in chitosan, which serves as a drug carrier. The surface of the MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles was modified with meso-2,3-di-mercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) to develop stable aqueous dispersions. The nanoparticles were coated with chitosan, and the magnetic properties, heat generation and hydrodynamic size of chitosan-coated MnFe₂O₄ were evaluated for various linker concentrations and in a range of pH conditions.

Silica coated magnetite particles for magnetic removal of Hg2+ from water

The magnetic removal of Hg(2+) from water has been assessed using silica coated magnetite particles. The magnetite particles were first prepared by hydrolysis of FeSO(4) and their surfaces were modified with amorphous silica shells that were then functionalized with organic moieties containing terminal dithiocarbamate groups. Under the experimental conditions used, the materials reported here displayed high efficiency for Hg(2+) uptake (74%) even at contaminant levels as low as 50 μg l(-1). Therefore these eco-nanomagnets show great potential for the removal of heavy metal ions of polluted water, via magnetic separation.

Photocatalytic degradation of p-phenylenediamine with TiO2-coated magnetic PMMA microspheres in an aqueous solution

This study investigates the photocatalytic degradation of p-phenylenediamine (PPD) with titanium dioxide-coated magnetic poly(methyl methacrylate) (TiO2/mPMMA) microspheres. The TiO2/mPMMA microspheres are employed as novel photocatalysts with the advantages of high photocatalytic activity, magnetic separability, and good durability. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of the TiO2/mPMMA microspheres are used to characterize the morphology, element content, and distribution patterns of magnetite and TiO2 nanoparticles. The BET-specific surface area and saturation magnetization of the TiO2/mPMMA microspheres are observed as 2.21 m(2)/g and 4.81 emu/g, respectively. The photocatalytic degradation of PPD are performed under various experimental conditions to examine the effects of initial PPD concentration, TiO2/mPMMA microsphere dosage, and illumination condition on the eliminations of PPD and chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations. Good repeatability of photocatalytic performance with the use of the TiO2/mPMMA microspheres has been demonstrated in the multi-run experiments. The photocatalytic kinetics for the reductions of PPD and COD associated with the initial PPD concentration, UV radiation intensity, and TiO2/mPMMA microsphere dosage are proposed. The relationships between the reduction percentages of COD and PPD are clearly presented.

Removal of Cu2+ from aqueous solution by chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with alpha-ketoglutaric acid

Chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles (CCMNPs), modified with a biodegradable and eco-friendly biologic reagent, alpha-ketoglutaric acid (alpha-KA), was used as a magnetic nanoadsorbent to remove toxic Cu(2+) ions from aqueous solution. The prepared magnetic nanoadsorbents were characterized by FTIR, TEM, VSM, XRD, and EDS. Factors influencing the adsorption of Cu(2+), e.g., initial metal concentration, initial pH, contact time and adsorbent concentration were investigated. TEM images show that the dimension of multidispersed circular particles is about 30 nm and no marked aggregation occurs. VSM patterns indicate superparamagnetic properties of magnetic nanoadsorbents. EDS pictures confirm the presence of the Cu(2+) on the surface of magnetic nanoadsorbents. Equilibrium studies show that Cu(2+) adsorption data follow Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity (q(max)) for Cu(2+) ions was estimated to be 96.15 mg/g, which was higher than that of pure CCMNPs. The desorption data show no significant desorption hysteresis occurred. In addition, the high stability and recovery capacity of the chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with alpha-ketoglutaric acid (alpha-KA-CCMNPs) suggest that these novel magnetic nanoadsorbents have potential applications for removing Cu(2+) from wastewater.