In Situ Mineralization of Magnetite Nanoparticles in Chitosan Hydrogel

• Main Authors: Wang Yongliang, Li Baoqiang, Zhou Yu, Jia Dechang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2009-01-01
• Series: Nanoscale Research Letters
• Subjects: Chitosan hydrogel; Magnetite; Mineralization; Chelation
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11671-009-9355-1

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Based on chelation effect between iron ions and amino groups of chitosan, in situ mineralization of magnetite nanoparticles in chitosan hydrogel under ambient conditions was proposed. The chelation effect between iron ions and amino groups in CS&#8211;Fe complex, which led to that chitosan hydrogel exerted a crucial control on the magnetite mineralization, was proved by X-ray photoelectron spectrum. The composition, morphology and size of the mineralized magnetite nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and thermal gravity. The mineralized nanoparticles were nonstoichiometric magnetite with a unit formula of Fe_2.85O₄and coated by a thin layer of chitosan. The mineralized magnetite nanoparticles with mean diameter of 13 nm dispersed in chitosan hydrogel uniformly. Magnetization measurement indicated that superparamagnetism behavior was exhibited. These magnetite nanoparticles mineralized in chitosan hydrogel have potential applications in the field of biotechnology. Moreover, this method can also be used to synthesize other kinds of inorganic nanoparticles, such as ZnO, Fe₂O₃and hydroxyapatite.</p>