Study on novel, superparamagnetic and biocompatible PEG/KFeO2 nanocomposite

• PEG coating on potassium ferrite nanoparticles is reported.
• Structural, morphological and thermal behavior is studied.
• Synthesized nanocomposite exhibits superparamagnetism and biocompatibility.

The present study reports the synthesis of polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated potassium ferrite nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction pattern revealed the formation of orthorhombic structure of KFeO2 nanoparticles, along with additional characteristic peaks of PEG at 2θ ∼19° and 23°. The characteristic IR bands of PEG confirmed its coating thereby making the nanocomposite feasible for bio-conjugation. The coating of PEG on KFeO2 nanoparticles, spherical formation, and reduced agglomeration of the nanocomposite were revealed by high resolution transmission electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope studies, respectively. In vibrating sample magnetometer analysis, the synthesized nanocomposite exhibited superparamagnetic behavior with magnetic saturation value of 5.78 emu/g and high biocompatibility below 250 μg/ml.