Facile synthesis of nano silver ferrite (AgFeO₂) modified with chitosan applied for biothiol separation

Silver iron oxide nanoparticles (AgFeO2 NPs) with narrow size distribution have been synthesized, characterized and was applied for biothiols separation. AgFeO2 and AgFeO2 modified chitosan (AgFeO2@CTS NPs) were synthesized using a hydrothermal method and then characterized by electron microscopy (transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX)), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Different biological thiols (dithiothreitol, glutathione, thiabendazole, and sulfamethizole) were investigated and characterized using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and surface assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS). The new material displays dual functionality; 1) for separation and 2) can be served as the matrices for SALDI-MS. Data showed a clear background in the case of nanomaterials compared to conventional matrices (mefenamic acid and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) for MALDI-MS).