Preparation of γ-Fe2O3/SiO2-capsule composites capable of using as drug delivery and magnetic targeting system from hydrophobic iron acetylacetonate and hydrophilic SiO2-capsule

•Monodispersed magnetic mesoporous nanoparticles were prepared by using SiO2 capsule as support.•The optimum conditions for preparation of γ-Fe2O3/SiO2-capsule were determined.•The magnetic response and DOX release behaviors of γ-Fe2O3/SiO2-capsule were studied.•γ-Fe2O3/SiO2-capsule possesses drug delivery ability and magnetic target functions.

Series of nanocomposites with γ-Fe2O3 supported on SiO2-capsules were prepared by adsorption of hydrophobic iron acetylacetonate on the hydrophilic surface of SiO2-capsules in the evaporation process of the solvent and then calcination the complex at 450 °C. The adsorption and calcination conditions were studied and the resultant nanaoparticles were characterized by XRD, XRF and TEM in detail. The results indicated that γ-Fe2O3 loaded discontinuously but uniformly on the surface of SiO2-capsules at appropriate content. The specific surface area characterization and doxorubicin hydrochloride release shown although the surface area of the target composites decreased slightly, the nanoparticles still had large potential using as drug delivery and magnetic targeting system.

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