The one-step synthesis of polymer-based magnetic γ-Fe2O3/carboxymethyl cellulose nanocomposites

A novel one-step procedure is described for synthesizing water soluble biocompatible nanocomposites from maghemite nanoparticles and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The procedure allows the magneto-sensitive nanocomposites with a controlled content of the inorganic phase. The maghemite formation has been proved by X-ray diffraction analysis and Mossbauer spectroscopy. An average diameter of the maghemite nanoparticles is equal to 11 nm according to transmission electron microscopy. As shown by FTIR spectroscopy, the nanoparticles bind to the polymer matrix via electrostatic and coordination interactions. The diameter of the nanocomposites in dilute aqueous solutions vary from 50 nm at the iron content of 2-4.3 wt.% to 140 nm at the iron content of 5.2-8.6 wt.%. The study of specific magnetization of the nanocomposites vs. applied magnetic field indicates their ferromagnetic properties. The saturation magnetization and coercive force of the sample with the maximum maghemite content (8.6 wt.%) are 11.5 emu/g and 30.08 Oe, respectively. The nanocomposite motion has been shown to be controlled by an external magnetic field. The biocompartible maghemite-CMC nanocomposites seem to be promising for encapsulation and delivery of biologically active compounds.