Title: Preparation of monodisperse functionalised superparamagnetic nanoparticles

Authors: B. Thierry, P. Majewski, Y. Ngothai, Y. Shi

Addresses: Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, Australia. ' Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, Australia. ' School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia. ' School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia

Abstract: Monocrystalline iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesised by a one-pot procedure using iron salts in benzyl alcohol and functionalised with dopamine and carboxylmethylated dextran. Dextran macromolecules with low and high carboxyl contents were synthesised and grafted onto the dopamine-functionalised nanoparticles. The particles were characterised using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), infrared spectroscopy (IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Monodisperse functionalised nanoparticles were obtained with a hydrodynamic diameter of 20–50 nm. The functionalisation also provided excellent colloidal stability in phosphate buffered saline, even at high salt concentration.

Keywords: magnetite; superparamagnetic nanoparticles; synthesis; functionalisation; iron oxide nanoparticles; nanotechnology; monodisperse functionalised nanoparticles; colloidal stability; phosphate buffered saline; high salt concentration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2007.014749

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2007 Vol.4 No.5, pp.523 - 530

Published online: 06 Aug 2007 *

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