Controlled Synthesis of Iron Oxide Composite Nanoparticles

In this study, core-shell nanoparticles and nanocomposites were synthesized with a controllable ratio of functional polymer to iron oxide nanoparticles. The core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The particles were coated with a poly(ethylene glycol) 400 dimethacrylate (PEG400DMA) and curcumin diacrylate (CDA) functional polymer coating. The thickness of the coating on the iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles was controlled by varying the reaction time. The nanocomposites were synthesized using precipitation polymerization. Curcumin-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (CurcNPs) were incorporated into a  PEG400DMA-CDA composite. The size of the nanocomposites was varied by altering the weight percent of nanoparticles, the dilution of the system, and the concentration of surfactant. A lower weight percent of nanoparticles, smaller dilution of system, and lower concentration of surfactant all lead to a larger nanocomposite particle.  The functional polymer coated nanoparticles and nanocomposites are magnetic and have the capability to generate heat in an alternating magnetic field (AMF). The controllable size of the particles allows them to be tailored for a specific use.