title: Free-standing poly(L-lactic acid) nanofilms loaded with superparamagnetic nanoparticles.
abstract: Freely suspended nanocomposite thin films based on soft polymers and functional nanostructures have been widely investigated for their potential application as active elements in microdevices. However, most studies are focused on the preparation of nanofilms composed of polyelectrolytes and charged colloidal particles. Here, a new technique for the preparation of poly(l-lactic acid) free-standing nanofilms embeddidng superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles is presented. The fabrication process, based on a spin-coating deposition approach, is described, and the influence of each production parameter on the morphology and magnetic properties of the final structure is investigated. Superparamagnetic free-standing nanofilms were obtained, as evidenced by a magnetization hysteresis measurement performed with a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Nanofilm surface morphology and thickness were evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the nanoparticle dispersion inside the composites was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These nanofilms, composed of a biodegradable polyester and remotely controllable by external magnetic fields, are promising candidates for many potential applications in the biomedical field.
authors: Center for MicroBioRobotics@SSSA, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera (PI), Italy. s.taccola@sssup.it
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Taccola
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Desii
authors: Virginia
authors: V
authors: Pensabene
authors: Toshinori
authors: T
authors: Fujie
authors: Akihiro
authors: A
authors: Saito
authors: Shinji
authors: S
authors: Takeoka
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Dario
authors: Arianna
authors: A
authors: Menciassi
authors: Virgilio
authors: V
authors: Mattoli
mesh_terms: D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D008280:Magnetics; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; C000499:ferric oxide; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)