In situ precipitation of magnetic fluid encapsulated in giant liposomes

It is well known that adding salt to a colloidal solution stabilized by electrostatic repulsions can induce its destabilization. When this colloidal solution is encapsulated inside liposomes an in situ precipitation can be induced by slightly modification of the environment: application of a magnetic field in the case of magnetic particles or increase of the temperature. It has been shown in a previous study that magnetic liposomes exhibit strong deformation under magnetic field. In this case the precipitation can be induced after their elongation under magnetic field and liposomes keep their shape even if the magnetic field is cut off. The following study is motivated by the desire to use the salt effect to precipitate magnetic nanoparticles inside giant liposomes.

Brown and spherical precipitate of magnetic fluid inside giant liposome.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (35 K)Download as PowerPoint slide