Title: Synthesis and characterisation of superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄-SiO₂ nanoparticles and modification by grafting with chitosan

Authors: Yen-Ling Tsai; Hung-Chi Liao; Po-I. Cheng; Chin-Jung Lee; Hsun-Tsing Lee; Yi-Chin Tsai

Addresses: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Vanung University, Taoyuan 32061, Taiwan ' Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Vanung University, Taoyuan 32061, Taiwan ' Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Vanung University, Taoyuan 32061, Taiwan ' Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Vanung University, Taoyuan 32061, Taiwan ' Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Vanung University, Taoyuan 32061, Taiwan ' Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Vanung University, Taoyuan 32061, Taiwan

Abstract: The superparamagnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) were prepared by co-precipitation method, then the biocompatible silicon dioxide (SiO₂) was coated on the surface of these Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (designated as Fe₃O₄-SiO₂) by using the sol-gel method. In order to graft chitosan on the surface of Fe₃O₄-SiO₂ particles, the surface modifier γ-glycidoxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) was first grafted on the surface of Fe₃O₄-SiO₂ through the sol-gel reaction with SiO₂ layer. Then the epoxide groups of GPTMS can react with the amino groups of chitosan to form chemical linkages between GPTMS and chitosans. In summary, by changing core-shell structure and pH value of reaction solution, we could obtain various particles with diameters in the range of 3-143 nm. Morphology, particles size, dispersion, physical and chemical structure of the particles were analysed by using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic scattering analyser, Superconducting Quantum Interference Device, energy dispersive analyser, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Keywords: superparamagnetic nanoparticles; Fe3O4; iron oxide; ferric oxide; iron(II,III) oxide; biocompatible SiO2; silicon dioxide; silica; GPTMS; glycidoxypropyltrime thoxysilane; chitsan; dispersion; nanotechnology; sol gel.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2013.058119

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2013 Vol.10 No.10/11, pp.916 - 929

Published online: 08 Dec 2013 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article