title: Synthesis and characterization of iron oxide/polymer composite nanoparticles with pendent functional groups.
abstract: We describe in this paper an approach to synthesize superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in the presence of polymerized lactic acid. The resulted particles consisted of clusters of iron oxide monocrystals, embedded inside the polymer chains. The composite particles synthesized in situ were highly dispersible in aqueous solution with good stability. X-ray diffraction and magnetometer data all confirmed the crystalline structure and super-paramagnetic property of the particles. They exhibited narrow size distribution with hydrodynamic diameters close to 80 nm. In addition, the particles were shown to have abundant surface carboxyl groups, which can be used to conjugate various biomolecules. Such a preparation would be especially useful for developing target specific MRI contrast agents or drug delivery vehicles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Hua-Shan Road, Shanghai 200030, PR China.
authors.forename: Shupeng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiaohui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Maoquan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Jinliang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Yuhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008280:Magnetics; D008823:Micelles; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C000499:ferric oxide; D019344:Lactic Acid