title: Preparation of hollow magnetite microspheres and their applications as drugs carriers.
abstract: Hollow magnetite microspheres have been synthesized by a simple process through a template-free hydrothermal approach. Hollow microspheres were surface modified by coating with a silica nanolayer. Pristine and modified hollow microparticles were characterized by field-emission electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, and VSM magnetometry. The potential application of the modified hollow magnetite microspheres as a drug carrier was evaluated by using Rhodamine B and methotrexate as model drugs. The loading and release kinetics of both molecules showed a clear pH and temperature dependent profile. GRAPHICAL  Hollow magnetite microspheres have been synthesized. Load-release experiments with Rhodamine-B as a model drug and with Methotrexate (chemotherapy drug used in treating certain types of cancer) demonstrated the potential applications of these nanostructures in biomedical applications.
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Technology, University of Turabo, Gurabo 00778, PR, USA. fmarquez@suagm.edu.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Márquez
authors.forename: Gloria M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Campo
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cotto
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ducongé
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sanz
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Elizalde
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Perales
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morant