Iron oxide nanoparticles prepared by laser ablation: Synthesis, structural properties and antimicrobial activity

•Iron oxide nanoparticles embedded in a polymeric matrix.•Iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized by a high-power picosecond laser.•Effects of PVA on Fe2O3 nanoparticles distribution and dimensionality.•Fe2O3 nanoparticles toxicity on Staphylococcus aureus.•Fe2O3 nanoparticles as vectors for drug targeting platforms.•Antimicrobial activity by MTT assay.

Pulsed laser ablation of iron rod target in water-based solutions were carried out, varying the ablation parameters. The structural, morphological and compositional characteristics of the nanoparticles were studied by micro-Raman, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopies and electron scanning microscopy (SEM/STEM). Slight changes in the ablation parameters result in significant variations in the nanoparticles morphology. As observed by STEM imaging, particles size and distribution was tuned from agglomerated to nearly spherical structures, mainly changing the medium (water or polyvinyl alcohol PVA water solution). On the other hand, the polymeric phase increases the iron oxide nanoparticles stability, biocompatibility and interactive functions on the surface. Antimicrobial activity of iron oxide nanoparticles on Staphylococcus aureus was studied by means of MTT assay. The results indicate that the iron oxide nanoparticles are interesting for potential applications as vector for drug delivery and as constituent of specific platforms for drug targeting.

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