Magnetic SiO(2)/Fe(3)O(4) colloidal crystals

We proposed a novel technique to fabricate colloidal crystals by using monodisperse SiO(2) coated magnetic Fe(3)O(4)(SiO(2)/Fe(3)O(4)) microspheres. The magnetic SiO(2)/Fe(3)O(4) microspheres with a diameter of 700?nm were synthesized in the basic condition with ferric sulfate, ferrous sulfate, tartaric acid and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in the reaction system. Monodisperse SiO(2)/Fe(3)O(4) superparamagnetic microspheres have been successfully used to fabricate colloidal crystals under the existing magnetic field.     

Multifunctional Upconversion Mesoporous Silica Nanostructures for Dual Modal Imaging and In Vivo Drug Delivery

Incorporating the agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), optical imaging, and therapy in one nanostructured matrix to construct multifunctional nanomedical platform has attracted great attention for simultaneous diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In this work, a facile methodology is developed to construct a multifunctional anticancer drug nanocarrier by combining the special advantages of upconversion nanoparticles and mesoporous silica. β‐NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺@β‐NaGdF₄:Yb³⁺ is chosen as it can provide the dual modality of upconversion luminescence and MRI. Then mesoporous silica is directly coated onto the upconversion nanoparticles to form discrete, monodisperse, highly uniform, and core–shell structured nanospheres (labeled as UCNPs@mSiO₂), which are subsequently functionalized with hydrophilic polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to improve the colloidal stability and biocompatibility. The obtained multifunctional nanocomposites can be used as an anticancer drug delivery carrier and applied for imaging. The anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) is absorbed into UCNPs@mSiO₂‐PEG nanospheres and released in a pH‐sensitive pattern. In vitro cell cytotoxicity tests on cancer cells verify that the DOX‐loaded UCNPs@mSiO₂‐PEG has comparable cytotoxicity with free DOX at the same concentration of DOX. In addition, the T₁‐weighted MRI that measures in aqueous solutions reveals that the contrast brightening increases with the concentration of Gd³⁺ component. Upconversion luminescence images of UCNPs@mSiO₂‐PEG uptaken by cells show green emission under 980 nm infrared laser excitation. Finally, the nanocomposites show low systematic toxicity and high in vivo antitumor therapy efficacy. These findings highlight the fascinating features of upconversion‐mesoporous nanocomposites as multimodality imaging contrast agents and nanocarrier for drug molecules.     

光热敏感型羧甲基壳聚糖纳米微球的制备及光热性能

羧甲基壳聚糖因其具有良好的水溶性和生物相容性,被广泛应用于生物医学领域。以天然可降解高分子羧甲基壳聚糖为载体,在引发剂过硫酸钾的作用下,通过自由基组合法将N-异丙基丙烯酰胺接枝到羧甲基壳聚糖上,然后在香草醛的交联作用下,采用乳化交联法制备一种负载光敏剂吲哚菁绿(ICG)的新型光热敏感型羧甲基壳聚糖微球,通过傅里叶红外(FT-IR)、核磁(1H-NMR)及扫描电镜(SEM)对共聚物结构及微球形貌进行表征,考察了油水比、转速、香草醛、乳化时间对该纳米微球包载阿霉素载药量的影响,并研究了其光热性能。结果表明,FT-IR和1H-NMR分析证明,N-异丙基丙烯酰胺成功接枝到羧甲基壳聚糖上;SEM分析可知,纳米微球外观呈球状,分布均匀,平均粒径为143 nm。油水比为20∶1,转速为600 r/min,香草醛量为1 mL,乳化时间3 h的微球载药量最高为19.32%。同时,通过改变外界环境条件,纳米微球能缓慢靶向释放药物,具有良好的光热敏感性,该纳米微球在药物控释及药物载体等领域有广泛的应用前景。     

Characterization and stability of liposome-enveloped trypsin/Fe3O4 for drug delivery and drug release behavior

Liposome encapsulating Fe3O4 (liposome complexes) has been prepared for targeting a drug to a specific organ, as well as for MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) contrast agents. The objective of the present work was to investigate the Fe3O4 properties and the effects of chitosan concentration on the characteristics of chitosan-coated liposome complexes. They were characterized by DLS, FT-IR, XRD, VSM, UV-Vis spectrometer, TEM and phase-contrast microscopy. The average liposome complex size was approximately 500 nm, with individual Fe3O4 nanoparticle sizes of 10 nm. The drug incorporation efficiency of trypsin in liposome complexes was 65-69%, the drug release was sustained and the incorporated drugs had the magnetization properties of the liposome complexes. Incorporation of chitosan into the liposome bilayer decreased trypsin release from the liposome complexes due to an increased rigidity of the liposome membrane structure. Chitosan-coated liposome complexes showed a higher stability when compared with the stability of non-coated liposome complexes.     

A novel route to prepare Fe3O4/P(MAA-co-NVP) cross-linked magnetic composite microspheres with core-shell architecture by surface-initiated radical dispersion polymerization

A novel route was proposed to design and construct a magnetic composite microsphere with a controllable and regular core-shell architecture, which consists of Fe3O4 nanoparticles chemical-covalently encapsulated with pH-smart poly(methacrylic acid-co-N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (P(MAA-co-NVP)) cross-linked copolymers by a surface-initiated radical dispersion polymerization approach. The multistep surface treatment was employed to improve the dispersity and surface-chemical reactivity of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, involving introduction of active -NH2 groups, coupling of 1,1-methylene bis-(4-isocyanato-cyclohexane) and immobilizing of 2,2'-azobis[2-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl) propionamide]. The structure and morphological characterization were carried out by FTIR, TEM, SEM and XRD etc. The neat Fe3O4 nanoparticles take on an aggregated spherical shape with an average diameter of about 12 nm, while Fe3O4/P(MAA-co-NVP) magnetic microspheres assume regularly monodispersed spheres with a mean dimension of ca. 0.8 microm. The dimension of the microspheres is abruptly increased with increasing pH values of the media. The microspheres exhibit superparamagnetic properties. It is expected that this type of novel microspheres can be employed as a magnetic targeted and pH-sensitive drug carrier.     

Magnetic Fe(2)MO(4) (M:Fe, Mn) activated carbons: fabrication, characterization and heterogeneous Fenton oxidation of methyl orange

We present a simple and efficient method for the fabrication of magnetic Fe(2)MO(4) (M:Fe and Mn) activated carbons (Fe(2)MO(4)/AC-H, M:Fe and Mn) by impregnating the activated carbon with simultaneous magnetic precursor and carbon modifying agent followed by calcination. The obtained samples were characterized by nitrogen adsorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and the catalytic activity in heterogeneous Fenton oxidation of methyl orange (MO) was evaluated. The resulting Fe(2)MnO(4)/AC-H showed higher catalytic activity in the methyl orange oxidation than Fe(3)O(4)/AC-H. The effect of operational parameters (pH, catalyst loading H(2)O(2) dosage and initial MO concentration) on degradation performance of the oxidation process was investigated. Stability and reusability of selected catalyst were also tested.     

Magnetic hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres: facile fabrication and ultrafast immobilization of enzymes

Hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres with large pore size of around 11 nm have been synthesized by a structural difference based selective etching strategy, and the highly dispersed hydrophobic Fe3O4 nanoparticles with a particle size of 5 nm were then impregnated into hollow cores of nanospheres through these large pores by a vacuum impregnation technique. The structural characteristics of obtained magnetic composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED), Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). The results show that the obtained Fe3O4-hollow mesoporous silica composites exhibit superparamagnetic property with saturation magnetization value of 4.17 emu/g. Furthermore, the obtained supports show ultrafast immobilization of hemoglobin and the immobilized enzymes are not denatured, indicating that the superparamagnetic hollow mesoporous silica spheres are excellent support for immobilization of enzymes with magnetic recycling property.     

Decolourization of Methyl Orange using Fenton-like mesoporous Fe(2)O(3)-SiO(2) composite

Rapid decolourization of Methyl Orange by Fenton-like mesoporous Fe(2)O(3)-SiO(2) catalyst has been reported. The effect of various parameters such as initial pH, initial H(2)O(2) concentration, Fe content in the catalyst and initial dye concentration on decolourization process were studied. The results show that 20mg of mesoporous Fe(2)O(3)/SiO(2) composite (with Si/Fe=10) was sufficient to decolourize 0.6 mg/ml of Methyl Orange in presence of 2 ml of H(2)O(2) at an initial pH of 2.93 within 20 min. The pH range for effective decolourization (≥90%) was found to be 1-3. Leaching tests indicated that the activity of the catalyst was almost unaffected up to three consecutive cycles although ≤0.2 ppm of Fe ion was leached into treated water in each run.     

Preloading of Hydrophobic Anticancer Drug into Multifunctional Nanocarrier for Multimodal Imaging,NIR‐Responsive Drug Release,and Synergistic Therapy

Applications of hydrophobic drug‐based nanocarriers (NCs) remain largely limited because of their low loading capacity. Here, development of a multifunctional hybrid NC made of a magnetic Fe3O4 core and a mesoporous silica shell embedded with carbon dots (CDs) and paclitaxel (PTX), and covered by another layer of silica is reported. The NC is prepared via a one‐pot process under mild condition. The PTX loading method introduced in this study simplifies drug loading process and demonstrates a high loading capacity due to mesoporous silica dual‐shell structure, supramolecular π‐stacking between conjugated rings of PTX molecules, and aromatic rings of the CDs in the hybrid NC. The CDs serve as both confocal and two‐photon fluorescence imaging probes, while the Fe3O4 core serves as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent. Significantly, NC releases PTX in response to near infrared irradiation as a result of local heating of the embedded CDs and the heating of CDs also provides an additional therapeutic effect by thermally killing cancer cells in tumor in addition to the chemotherapeutic effect of released PTX. Both in vitro and in vivo results show that NC demonstrates high therapeutic efficacy through a synergistic effect from the combined chemo‐photothermal treatments.     

Facile synthesis of monodisperse superparamagnetic Fe3O4/PMMA composite nanospheres with high magnetization

Monodisperse superparamagnetic Fe(3)O(4)/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) composite nanospheres with high saturation magnetization were successfully prepared by a facile novel miniemulsion polymerization method. The ferrofluid, MMA monomer and surfactants were co-sonicated and emulsified to form stable miniemulsion for polymerization. The samples were characterized by DLS, TEM, FTIR, XRD, TGA and VSM. The diameter of the Fe(3)O(4)/PMMA composite nanospheres by DLS was close to 90 nm with corresponding polydispersity index (PDI) as small as 0.099, which indicated that the nanospheres have excellent homogeneity in aqueous medium. The TEM results implied that the Fe(3)O(4)/PMMA composite nanospheres had a perfect core-shell structure with about 3 nm thin PMMA shells, and the core was composed of many homogeneous and closely packed Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles. VSM and TGA showed that the Fe(3)O(4)/PMMA composite nanospheres with at least 65% high magnetite content were superparamagnetic, and the saturation magnetization was as high as around 39 emu g(-1) (total mass), which was only decreased by 17% compared with the initial bare Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles.     

Fe3O4/SiO2/CMCH/CdTe荧光磁性微球的合成与表征

利用St ber法和交联法制备出具有荧光和磁性功能的Fe3O4/SiO2/CMCH/CdTe微球,并对其性能和应用效果进行了分析讨论.首先以正硅酸四乙酯为前躯体,Fe2＋和Fe3＋物质的量的比为1∶2,利用超临界干燥法制备出了Fe3O4/SiO2复合微球;并通过透射电镜对其进行观察,Fe3O4颗粒粒径为10 nm,SiO2层厚度为5 nm;其次羧甲基化的壳聚糖（CMCH）被嫁接在Fe3O4/SiO2表面上;然后利用水热法制备出CdTe荧光颗粒,通过壳聚糖与CdTe之间的静电吸引作用,CdTe被吸附在壳聚糖表面;最后利用戊二醛对壳聚糖的选择性交联作用制备出粒径在200 nm以内,饱和磁化强度为22.16 A.m2/kg,且具有良好荧光性能的Fe3O4/SiO2/CMCH/CdTe微球.荧光光谱分析表明最大发射波长从519 nm红移到528 nm,也证实了荧光颗粒CdTe成功吸附在Fe3O4/SiO2/CMCH表面.在动物实验中,该复合微球也显示出良好的荧光性、磁性及稳定性.     

Multifunctional mesoporous silica nanospheres with cleavable Gd(III) chelates as MRI contrast agents: synthesis, characterization, target-specificity, and renal clearance

Mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSNs) are a promising material for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. In this paper multifunctional MSNs with cleavable Gd(III) chelates are synthesized and characterized, and their applicability as MRI contrast agents is demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. The MSNs contain Gd(III) chelates that are covalently linked via a redox-responsive disulfide moiety. The MSNs are further functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and an anisamide ligand to improve their biocompatibility and target specificity. The effectiveness of MSNs as an MRI imaging contrast agent and their targeting ability are successfully demonstrated in vitro using human colon adenocarcinoma and pancreatic cancer cells. Finally, the capability of this platform as an in vivo MRI contrast agent is tested using a 3T scanner. The Gd(III) chelate was quickly cleaved by the blood pool thiols and eliminated through the renal excretion pathway. Further tuning of the Gd(III) chelate release kinetics is needed before the MSN system can be used as target-specific MRI contrast agents in vivo.     

pH- and thermo-sensitive MTX-loaded magnetic nanocomposites: synthesis,characterization, and in vitro studies on A549 lung cancer cell and MR imaging

In the current study, we proposed a facile method for fabrication of multifunctional pH- and thermo-sensitive magnetic nanocomposites (MNCs) as a theranostic agent for using in targeted drug delivery and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To this end, we decorated Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), best known for their pH- and thermo-sensitive properties, respectively. We also conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) to polymer matrix acting as drug container to enhance the drug encapsulation efficacy. Methotroxate (MTX) as a model drug was successfully loaded in MNCs (M-MNCs) via surface adsorption onto MSNs and electrostatic interaction between drug and carrier. The pH- and temperature-triggered release of MTX was concluded through the evaluation of in vitro release at both physiological and simulated tumor tissue conditions. Based on in vitro cytotoxicity assay results, M-MNCs significantly revealed higher antitumor activity compared to free MTX. In vitro MR susceptibility experiment showed that M-MNCs relatively possessed high transverse relaxivity (r₂) of about 0.15?mM^?1·ms^?1 and a linear relationship between the transverse relaxation rate (R₂) and the Fe concentration in the M-MNCs was also demonstrated. Therefore, the designed MNCs can potentially become smart drug carrier, while they also can be promising MRI negative contrast agent.     

Synthesis of the Fe3O4@SiO2@SiO2-Tb(PABA)3 luminomagnetic microspheres

In this paper, we describe the synthesis and characterization of a luminomagnetic microspheres with core-shell structures (denoted as Fe3O4@ SiO2 @SiO2-Tb(PABA)3). The luminomagnetic microspheres were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and photoluminescence spectrophotometer (PL). The SEM observation shows that the microsphere consists of the magnetic core with about 400 nm in average diameter and silica shell doped with terbium complex with an average thickness of about 90 nm. It has a saturation magnetization of 15.8 emu/g and a negligible coercivity at room temperature and exhibits strong green emission peak from 5D4 --> 7F5 transition of Tb3+ ions. The luminomagnetic microspheres with good magnetic response and fluorescence probe property as well as water-dispersibility would have potential medical applications, such as time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA), fluorescent imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).     

Mesoporous silica-magnetite nanocomposite synthesized by using a neutral surfactant

Magnetite nanoparticles coated by mesoporous silica were synthesized by an alternative chemical route using a neutral surfactant and without the application of any functionalization method. The magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)) nanoparticles were prepared by precipitation from aqueous media, and then coated with mesoporous silica by using nonionic block copolymer surfactants as the structure-directing agents. The mesoporous SiO(2)-coated Fe(3)O(4) samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, N(2) adsorption-desorption isotherms, transmission electron microscopy, (57)Fe M?ssbauer spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. Our results revealed that the magnetite nanoparticles are completely coated by well-ordered mesoporous silica with free pores and stable (～8?nm thick) pore walls, and that the structural and magnetic properties of the Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles are preserved in the applied synthesis route.     

Synthesis of novel magnetic iron metal-silica (Fe-SBA-15) and magnetite-silica (Fe(3)O(4)-SBA-15) nanocomposites with a high iron content using temperature-programed reduction

Magnetic iron metal-silica and magnetite-silica nanocomposites have been prepared via temperature-programed reduction (TPR) of an iron oxide-SBA-15 (SBA: Santa Barbara Amorphous) composite. TPR of the starting SBA-15 supported Fe(2)O(3) generated Fe(3)O(4) and FeO as stepwise intermediates in the ultimate formation of Fe-SBA-15. The composite materials have been characterized by means of x-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) magnetometry. The Fe oxide and metal components form a core, as nanoscale particles, that is entrapped in the SBA-15 pore network. Fe(3)O(4)-SBA-15 and Fe-SBA-15 exhibited superparamagnetic properties with a total magnetization value of 17?emu?g(-1). The magnetite-silica composite (at an Fe(3)O(4) loading of 30%?w/w) delivered a magnetization that exceeded values reported in the literature or obtained with commercial samples. Due to the high pore volume of the mesoporous template, the magnetite content can be increased to 83%?w/w with a further enhancement of magnetization.     

MⅡFe2O4（M=Fe,Ni）纳米空心微球的合成和磁性能（英文）

以气泡为模板,通过简单的一步水热法合成了尖晶石型MⅡFe2O4(M=Fe,Ni)纳米空心微球,并采用柠檬酸对其表面进行了修饰。利用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、红外光谱(IR)和振动样品磁强计(VSM)对修饰前后纳米空心微球的形貌、结构和磁性能进行了表征。结果表明,MⅡFe2O4(M=Fe,Ni)纳米空心微球的尺寸在300～600nm,前躯体溶液的pH值大于9或反应时间小于12h都不能生成空心结构。此外,MⅡFe2O4(M=Fe,Ni)纳米空心微球呈现较好的超顺磁性,但与纳米Fe3O4实心微粒相比较,Fe3O4纳米空心微球的饱和磁化强度却有所降低。     

Facile one-pot preparation and functionalization of luminescent chitosan-poly(methacrylic acid) microspheres based on polymer-monomer pairs

In this paper, we present a facile and robust approach to synthesize multifunctional organic/inorganic composite microspheres with chitosan-poly(methacrylic acid) (CS-PMAA) shells and cadmium tellurium/iron oxide nanoparticle cores. Due to the strong electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged nanoparticles and the protonated CS polymers, the CS/nanoparticle complexes were utilized as templates for the subsequent polymerization of methacrylic acid. The resulting composite microspheres with luminescence and magnetic properties have regular morphologies and narrow size distributions. In contrast to previous reports, this route was based on a one-pot strategy without the aid of surfactants, organic solvent, or polymerizable ligands in aqueous solution. The encapsulated CdTe semiconductor nanocrystals inside the microspheres exhibited strong and stable photoluminescence properties in the pH range 5.0-11.0. When the pH was adjusted below 4, the photoluminescence decreased sharply and even quenched completely. However, the weakened fluorescence emission could be recovered to some degree upon an increase of pH above 5. Additionally, when both Fe(3)O(4) and CdTe nanoparticles were encapsulated within CS-PMAA microspheres, the magnetic content of the microspheres could be efficiently controlled by tuning the feeding molar ratio of MAA monomers and glucosamine units of CS. From the preliminary attempts, it was found that the multifunctional microspheres as imaging agents could improve the rate and extent of cellular uptake under short-term exposure to an applied magnetic field, and so exhibit a great potential as bioactive molecule carriers.     

Kinetics of Fe(3)O(4)-CoO/Al(2)O(3) catalytic ozonation of the herbicide 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) propionic acid

The presence of Fe(3)O(4)-CoO/Al(2)O(3) can improve degradation efficiency significantly during the ozonation of the herbicide 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) propionic acid (2,4-DP). The main factors affecting degradation efficiency, such as pH, the catalyst concentration and addition of the scavenger, were investigated. The kinetics of the catalytic ozonation are also discussed. The results indicate that two factors, the oxidation after adsorption of 2,4-DP and the oxidation of hydroxyl radicals (OH), lead to a great enhancement in ozonation efficiency during the catalytic ozonation of 2,4-DP in the presence of Fe(3)O(4)-CoO/Al(2)O(3), in which the oxidation of the OH plays an important role. Under controlled conditions, the apparent reaction rate constants for the degradation of 2,4-DP were determined to be 2.567 × 10(-4)s(-1) for O(3) and 1.840 × 10(-3)s(-1) for O(3)/Fe(3)O(4)-CoO/Al(2)O(3). The results from the analysis of the reaction kinetics using the relative method showed that O(3)/Fe(3)O(4)-CoO/Al(2)O(3) possessed a larger R(ct) (R(ct) is defined as the ratio of the ·OH exposure to the O(3) exposure, R(ct) = ∫C(t)(OH) dt/C(t)O(3)dt) than O(3), indicating that O(3)/Fe(3)O(4)-CoO/Al(2)O(3) produced more hydroxyl radicals.     

Microwave absorption enhancement of multifunctional composite microspheres with spinel Fe3 O4 Cores and Anatase TiO2 shells

Multifunctional composite microspheres with spinel Fe(3)O(4) cores and anatase TiO(2) shells (Fe(3)O(4)@TiO(2)) are synthesized by combining a solvothermal reaction and calcination process. The size, morphology, microstructure, phase purity, and magnetic properties are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, selected-area electron diffraction, electron energy loss spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry. The results show that the as-synthesized microspheres have a unique morphology, uniform size, good crystallinity, favorable superparamagnetism, and high magnetization. By varying the experimental conditions such as Fe(3)O(4) size and concentration, microspheres with different core sizes and shell thickneses can be readily synthesized. Furthermore, the microwave absorption properties of these microspheres are investigated in terms of complex permittivity and permeability. By integration of the chemical composition and unique structure, the Fe(3)O(4)@TiO(2) microspheres possess lower reflection loss and a wider absorption frequency range than pure Fe(3)O(4). Moreover, the electromagnetic data demonstrate that Fe(3)O(4@TiO(2) microspheres with thicker TiO(2) shells exhibit significantly enhanced microwave absorption properties compared to those with thinner TiO(2) shells, which may result from effective complementarities between dielectric loss and magnetic loss. All the results indicate that these Fe(3)O(4)@TiO(2) microspheres may be attractive candidate materials for microwave absorption applications.