Biomimetic approach to the formation of magnetic nanoparticle/silica core/shell structures

We report a mild method for constructing magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP)/silica core/shell hybrid structures by biomimetic silicification of silicic acids. 2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) was grafted onto the surface of IONPs via surface-initiated, atom transfer radical polymerization, and then silica shells were subsequently formed by biomimetic polycondensation of silicic acids with poly(DMAEMA) as an organic template for the formation of silica structures. The resulting IONP/silica hybrids were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy.