Novel magnetic-fluorescent CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS (core/shell) nanoparticles: Preparation, characterization and damage to bovine serum albumin under UV irradiation

Novel magnetic-fluorescent nanoparticles (CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS) combined ZnS:Mn/ZnS semiconductor nanoparticles and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles with chitosan (CS) matrix were prepared and characterized. Characterization results indicate that CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS (core/shell) nanoparticles show superparamagnetic and strong fluorescent properties. Introduction of ZnS shell significantly enhances the photoluminescence intensity by 3.5 times. The saturation magnetization of CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS nanoparticles was 14.85 emu g−1 at room temperature. The interaction and damage of CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS to bovine serum albumin (BSA) under UV irradiation was investigated by ultraviolet-visible and fluorescence spectra. The results show that electrostatic interaction is the major force for the binding processes of BSA to the surface of CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS. The damage of BSA is prone to happen in the presence of CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS under UV irradiation. CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS may be potential candidate for application as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy, and fluorescence imaging and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents for theranostics of cancer.