Surface characterisation of dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles prepared by laser pyrolysis and coprecipitation

The favoured mechanism of adsorption of dextran on the surface of maghemite nanoparticles (5 nm) prepared by laser pyrolysis seems to be the collective hydrogen bonding between dextran hydroxyl groups and iron oxide particle surface. After heating, the formation of a surface complex between the polysaccharide oxygen atoms and the surface iron atoms gave rise to a stronger bonding.