Synthesis and Characterization of Co-Zn Ferrite Nanoparticles Embedded in a Thermo-Sensitive Polymer

This article reports a simple and novel method to synthesize magnetic nanoparticles embedded into thermo-sensitive copolymers. To form a stabilized suspended core, Co-Zn ferrite nanoparticles synthesized through thermal decomposition method. Oleylamine as a surfactant used as hydrophobic agent at the surface of nanoparticles. Amphiphilic thermo-sensitive copolymer linked with magnetic nanoparticles. Composite of magnetic nanoparticles and polymers can be suspended in hydrophobic media. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) used as structural analysis to confirm spinel structure. Crystallite size of magnetic nanoparticles estimated by Rietveld refinement from XRD patterns. The particle diameters measured approximately 9±1 nm with TEM micrograph. Also, UV-visible used as a method to determine LCST temperature of nanoparticles. These novel magnetic thermo-responsive composite have potential applications in biomedical applications, such as, protein immobilization, hyperthermia cancer therapy and target drug delivery systems.