Layer by layer assembly synthesis of Fe3O4@MOFs/GO core–shell nanoparticles

• Fe3O4@MOFs and Fe3O4@MOFs/GO were synthesized.
• Assembly method was used in the synthesis.
• Drug loading was compared.

Magnetic core–shell spheres Fe3O4@MOFs and Fe3O4@MOFs/GO were prepared using layer by layer assembly method. Fe3O4@MOFs and Fe3O4@MOFs/GO were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM and VSM. The results showed that both magnetic spheres were with core–shell structure. The method was proved to be valuable for producing core–shell structure with porous nanocomposite materials as shell. Methylene blue was selected as drug model to study the drug loading of the synthesized spheres. It was found that the addition of graphene oxide (GO) enhanced the drug loading amount of magnetic sphere.