A Facile Method to Synthesize Responsive Magnetic Polymer Composite Nanoparticles with Multifunctional Groups

Abstract

Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) coated with poly (divinylbenzene-co-glycidyl methacrylate) particles (mPDGs) are prepared by co-polymerization of 1,4-divinylbenzene and glycidyl methacrylate monomers via batch emulsion polymerization. The Fe3O4nanoparticles modified by oleic acid are obtained by chemical precipitation. The chemical composition, morphology, magnetic content, magnetic properties and particle size of the composite particles are investigated using transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometer, and dynamic light scattering, respectively. The results show that the magnetic nanoparticles have been coated by 1,4-divinylbenzene and glycidyl methacrylate, with the high saturation magnetization being 33.66 emu/g. The mean size of the mPDGs with good dispersion is about 200 nm. Subsequently, the polymer shell with reactive epoxy group is expected to be useful for chemical grafting of any biomolecule containing reactive functional groups (-NH2, -OH, -COOH, etc) or can be chemically modified to desired functional groups. These magnetic nanospheres with multifunctional groups have potential application in biomedical applications.