SEEDLING Proposal to Establish Pilot Data for a Consortium on Magnetic Nanoparticle Assemblies: A New Tool for Drug Delivery, Sensors and Electronic Devices
Abstract
Complexes of magnetic nanoparticles with polymer dispersion stabilizers can lead to well-defined magnetic dispersions and also to precursors for magnetic microspheres. Thus, complexes of block copolymers containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic dispersion components with magnetite nanoparticles have been prepared and characterized. In-vitro cell survival assays of the hydrophilic complexes suggest a relationship between cell survival and proliferation and the molecular weight (and hydrophilicity) of the polymer dispersants (higher molecular weight results in better cell proliferation/survival). Magnetic transition metals such as cobalt, iron or nickel are susceptible to oxidation with concurrent loss in magnetic response unless the nanoparticle surfaces are protected with oxygen impermeable coatings. Copolymer precursors to graphitic-like and silica-like protective coatings have been prepared and utilized to coat cobalt nanoparticles in thermolysis reactions. High temperature pyrolyses of the complexes in both cases suggest that oxidatively stable cobalt nanoparticles approximately 10 nm in diameter can be formed. The pyrolysis procedure results in 10-nm cobalt but the particles are adhered together. Attention will be devoted during the forthcoming year on methods for separating the nanoparticles from each other and on 're-coating' the materials with appropriate biospecific functional groups.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA418026
Entities
People
- Judy S Riffle
Organizations
- Virginia Tech