Preparation of composite particles with magnetic silica core and fluorescent polymer shell

Fluorescent Magnetic Bioprobes by Surface Modification of Magnetite Nanoparticles

Bimodal nanoprobes comprising both magnetic and optical functionalities have been prepared via a sequential two-step process. Firstly, magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) with well-defined cubic shape and an average dimension of 80 nm were produced by hydrolysis of iron sulfate and were then surface modified with silica shells by using the sol-gel method. The Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ particles were then functionalized with the fluorophore, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), mediated by assembled shells of the cationic polyelectrolyte, polyethyleneimine (PEI). The Fe₃O₄ functionalized particles were then preliminary evaluated as fluorescent and magnetic probes by performing studies in which neuroblast cells have been contacted with these nanomaterials.

Toward designer magnetite/polystyrene colloidal composite microspheres with controllable nanostructures and desirable surface functionalities

An effective method was developed for synthesizing magnetite/polymer colloidal composite microspheres with controllable variations in size and shape of the nanostructures and desirable interfacial chemical functionalities, using surfactant-free seeded emulsion polymerization with magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)) colloidal nanocrystal clusters (CNCs) as the seed, styrene (St) as the monomer, and potassium persulfate (KPS) as the initiator. The sub-micrometer-sized citrate-acid-stabilized Fe(3)O(4) CNCs were first obtained via ethylene glycol (EG)-mediated solvothermal synthesis, followed by 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MPS) modification to immobilize the active vinyl groups onto the surfaces, and then the hydrophobic St monomers were polymerized at the interfaces to form the polymer shells by seeded emulsion radical polymerization. The morphology of the composite microspheres could be controlled from raspberry- and flower-like shapes, to eccentric structures by simply adjusting the feeding weight ratio of the seed to the monomer (Fe(3)O(4)/St) and varying the amount of cross-linker divinyl benzene (DVB). The morphological transition was rationalized by considering the viscosity of monomer-swollen polymer matrix and interfacial tension between the seeds and polymer matrix. Functional groups, such as carboxyl, hydroxyl, and epoxy, can be facilely introduced onto the composite microspheres through copolymerization of St with other functional monomers. The resultant microspheres displayed a high saturation magnetization (46 emu/g), well-defined core-shell nanostructures, and surface chemical functionalities, as well as a sustained colloidal stability, promising for further biomedical applications.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs): development, surface modification and applications in chemotherapy

At present, nanoparticles are used for various biomedical applications where they facilitate laboratory diagnostics and therapeutics. More specifically for drug delivery purposes, the use of nanoparticles is attracting increasing attention due to their unique capabilities and their negligible side effects not only in cancer therapy but also in the treatment of other ailments. Among all types of nanoparticles, biocompatible superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with proper surface architecture and conjugated targeting ligands/proteins have attracted a great deal of attention for drug delivery applications. This review covers recent advances in the development of SPIONs together with their possibilities and limitations from fabrication to application in drug delivery. In addition, the state-of-the-art synthetic routes and surface modification of desired SPIONs for drug delivery purposes are described.

The One-Step Pickering Emulsion Polymerization Route for Synthesizing Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite Particles

Polystyrene-silica core-shell nanocomposite particles are successfully prepared via one-step Pickering emulsion polymerization. Possible mechanisms of Pickering emulsion polymerization are addressed in the synthesis of polystyrene-silica nanocomposite particles using 2,2-azobis(2-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)propionamide (VA-086) and potassium persulfate (KPS) as the initiator. Motivated by potential applications of “smart” composite particles in controlled drug delivery, the one-step Pickering emulsion polymerization route is further applied to synthesize polystyrene/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)-silica core-shell nanoparticles with N-isopropylacrylamide incorporated into the core as a co-monomer. The polystyrene/PNIPAAm-silica composite nanoparticles are temperature sensitive and can be taken up by human prostate cancer (PC3-PSMA) cells.

Synthesis of highly monodisperse particles composed of a magnetic core and fluorescent shell

Highly monodisperse particles composed of a magnetic silica core and fluorescent polymer shell were synthesized with a combined technique of heterocoagulation and soap-free emulsion polymerization. Prior to heterocoagulation, monodisperse, submicrometer-sized silica particles were prepared with the Stober method, and magnetic nanoparticles were prepared with a modified Massart method in which a cationic silane coupling agent of N-trimethoxysilylpropyl- N, N, N-trimethylammonium chloride was added just after coprecipitation of Fe (2+) and Fe (3+). The silica particles with negative surface potential were heterocoagulated with the magnetic nanoparticles with positive surface potential. The magnetic silica particles obtained with the heterocoagulation were treated with sodium silicate to modify their surfaces with silica. In the formation of a fluorescent polymer shell onto the silica-coated magnetic silica cores, an amphoteric initiator of 2,2'-azobis[ N-(2-carboxyethyl)-2-2-methylpropionamidine] (VA-057) was used to control the colloidal stability of the magnetic cores during the polymer coating. The polymerization of St in the presence of a hydrophobic fluorophore of pyrene could coat the cores with fluorescent polymer shells, resulting in monodisperse particles with a magnetic silica core and fluorescent polymer shell. Measurements of zeta potential for the composite particles in different pH values indicated that the composite particles had an amphoteric property originating from VA-057 initiator.