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Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Stable Aqueous Suspensions of Manganese Ferrite Clusters with Tunable Nanoscale Dimension and Composition
Published on: February 5, 2022
Composite particles formed by complexation of poly(methacrylic acid) - stabilized magnetic fluid with chitosan:
Ivo Safarik1, Miroslav Stepanek2, Mariusz Uchman2
1Department of Nanobiotechnology, Biology Centre, ISB, Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Sadkach 7, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Palacky University, Slechtitelu 27, 78371 Olomouc, Czech Republic; Global Change Research Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Sadkach 7, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
A simple procedure for the synthesis of magnetic fluid (ferrofluid) stabilized by poly(methacrylic acid) has been developed. This ferrofluid was used to prepare a novel type of magnetically responsive chitosan-based composite material. Both ferrofluid and magnetic chitosan composite were characterized by a combination of microscopy (optical microscopy, TEM, SEM), scattering (static and dynamic light scattering, SANS) and spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. Magnetic chitosan was found to be a perspective material for various bioapplications, especially as a magnetic carrier for immobilization of enzymes and cells. Lipase from Candida rugosa was covalently attached after cross-linking and activation of chitosan using glutaraldehyde. Baker's yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were incorporated into the chitosan composite during its preparation; both biocatalysts were active after reaction with appropriate substrates.
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