Synthesis of Magnetic Nanoparticles Coated with Chitosan for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles have garnered significant attention in biomedicine due to their distinctive magnetic properties, biocompatibility, and ease of functionalization for diverse applications. In this study, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized via the co-precipitation method, followed by the synthesis of a SiO₂ coating on Fe₃O₄ (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂) and an amino group coating on Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ (Fe₃O₄@SiO 2 _NH 2 ) before chitosan coating. Chitosan concentration was varied at 1% and 5% to improve their stability and biocompatibility. Characterization of the nanoparticles was conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDXS). XRD analysis confirmed that the synthesized nanoparticles were magnetite (Fe₃O₄), while FTIR confirmed the presence of -OH and -NH₂ functional groups, which increased after coating with a chitosan layer on the magnetite surface. SEM/EDX analysis revealed that the average diameter of the uncoated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was approximately 12 nm, and EDX analysis indicated the presence of sodium after coating with chitosan. Using chitosan as a coating material enhanced the biocompatibility, stability, and functional versatility of the nanoparticles. The results demonstrated the successful coating of chitosan on the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, which retained their superparamagnetic properties, making them promising candidates for drug delivery applications.