Synthesis of biomimetic poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorycholine]-coated magnetite nanoparticles via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

Modification of magnetite nanoparticles with biomimetic poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorycholine] (poly(MPC)) via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was carried out. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and zeta potential studies indicated that well defined poly (MPC) was successfully grafted on the surface of magnetite nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction results showed the structure of magnetite nanoparticles after surface modification was not changed. The poly (MPC)-coated magnetite nanoparticles had a mean transmission electron microscopy (TEM) diameter of 11 +/- 1.5 nm. The resulting nanomaterials were superparamagnetic at room temperature, exhibited good colloidal stability in aqueous media and good responsibility to magnetic field. Such magnetite nanoparticles with biomimetic surface have potential application in prolonging circulation time in vivo.