Preparation And Investigation Of Fe₃O₄/PANI Magnetic Polymer Microspheres

Objective: To develop further applications of magnetic polymer microspheres in biomedical field and to prepare the Fe₃O₄/PANI anti-oxidation water-based nano-magnetic fluid.Methods: In this research, nano-size Fe₃O₄ particles were prepared by the chemical co-precipitation method, without nitrogen protection; The Fe₃O₄/PANI material was prepared by in-situ synthesis that Fe₃O₄ nano-particles were coated by PANI. TEM, FTIR and XRD test measured the structure, size and morphological features of the nano-particles. At the same time, thermal analysis and magnetometer was used to analyze the anti-oxidation and magnetic properties of the composite particles. Haemolyticus tests were performed to analyze the nano-particles' biocompatibility.Results: TEM results showed that the size of the nano-magnetic particle was 30-50nm.The dispersion of such particles were much better than naked Fe₃O₄ nano-particles. FTIR and XRD testing results showed that naked Fe₃O₄ nano-particles and Fe₃O₄/PANI nano-particles had different physical state and crystal structure. The anti-oxidation and magnetism testing proved that Fe₃O₄/PANI compound particles prepared by this method could effectively prevent oxidation and be rapidly collected and located under magnetic field. Hemolytic tests showed that nano-materials had good biocompatibility that no hemoclasis was observed, which met the requirements of medical materials.Conclusions: The Fe₃O₄/PANI anti-oxidation water-based nano-magnetic fluids are prepared though in-situ synthesis successfully. TEM results show that the size of much Fe₃O₄/PANI nano-particles are 30⁵0nm, with better dispersion. FTIR testing shows that the combination between PANI and Fe₃O₄ is simply physical coating. XRD analysis calculates the size of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and Fe₃O₄/PANI nano-composite particles are basically the same as the results of electron microscopy. The analysis of thermo-analysis and VSM test show that the Fe₃O₄/PANI nano-particles have strong antioxidant properties, high saturation magnetization and soft magnetic properties. It is easy to be separated and orientated though magnetic field. Meanwhile, the particles are apt to be used in targeted drug delivery, which can enhance efficacy and reduce the side effects. Its surface contains polymer itself with abundant functional groups, the composite particles are easy to make further biological function. With abundant functional groups on the surface, it is easy to be modified to have further biological functions. The anti-oxidation, conductive properties, biocompatibility and stability of the Fe₃O₄/PANI nano-particle allow it to be applied in the field of biomedical domain.