Issue 40, 2017, Issue in Progress

Novel Fe3O4@GNF@SiO2 nanocapsules fabricated through the combination of an in situ formation method and SiO2 coating process for magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

An in situ approach for the synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles combined with a SiO2 coating process was employed to prepare Fe3O4@GNF@SiO2 nanocapsules. Graphitised nanofibres (GNF) were initially filled with iron(III) acetylacetonate, and used as a precursor for the synthesis of ultrasmall Fe3O4 nanoparticles (4.6 nm in diameter) inside the cavities of GNF (Fe3O4@GNF) with a high density. By using a silica coating process, Fe3O4@GNF@SiO2 nanocapsules were obtained. The presence of the silica shell not only prevented leakage of the nanoparticles from inside the GNF but also protected the magnetite nanoparticles from dissolution, even in harsh acidic conditions. Furthermore, the silica coating resulted in an increased dispersability of the nanocomposites in water. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies indicate relatively high Image ID:c7ra04080f-t1.gif relaxivities for Fe3O4@GNF nanocomposites and Fe3O4@GNF@SiO2 nanocapsules revealing the potential application of these hybrid materials for bioimaging. Therefore, the coating of filled GNF with silica is as an excellent strategy for the protection of encapsulated payloads.

Graphical abstract: Novel Fe3O4@GNF@SiO2 nanocapsules fabricated through the combination of an in situ formation method and SiO2 coating process for magnetic resonance imaging

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
10 Apr 2017
Accepted
28 Apr 2017
First published
08 May 2017
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Adv., 2017,7, 24690-24697

Novel Fe3O4@GNF@SiO2 nanocapsules fabricated through the combination of an in situ formation method and SiO2 coating process for magnetic resonance imaging

C. Lu, S. Sandoval, T. Puig, X. Obradors, G. Tobias, J. Ros and S. Ricart, RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 24690 DOI: 10.1039/C7RA04080F

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