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Designing red-fluorescent superparamagnetic nanoparticles by conjugation with gold clusters
Agne Mikalauskaite1, Marijus Pleckaitis2, Giedre Grinciene1
1State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology Sauletekio Ave. 3 LT-10254 Vilnius Lithuania arunas.jagminas@ftmc.lt.
RSC Advances
|December 21, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a new microwave-driven method to combine red-fluorescent gold nanoclusters (BSA@AuNCs) with superparamagnetic nanoparticles. This creates novel magnetic nanoclusters with strong photoluminescence and stable magnetic properties.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Photoluminescent (PL) nanoclusters (NCs) offer unique optical and chemical properties, along with biocompatibility.
- Synthesizing PL magnetic nanoclusters by attaching PL NCs to iron oxide nanoparticles remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an efficient microwave-driven conjugation method for creating red-fluorescent gold nanoclusters (BSA@AuNCs) attached to superparamagnetic nanoparticles.
- To characterize the optical and magnetic properties of the synthesized CoFe2O4@AuNCs.
Main Methods:
- Microwave-driven conjugation of BSA@AuNCs to superparamagnetic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles.
- Characterization using High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence spectroscopy (steady-state and time-resolved), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and magnetic measurements.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized CoFe2O4@AuNCs exhibiting strong photoluminescence in aqueous and ethanol solutions.
- The synthesized nanoclusters demonstrated good colloidal stability, optical stability, and a reliable magnetization response.
- Structural and property evaluations confirmed the successful integration of PL NCs with magnetic NPs.
Conclusions:
- The microwave-driven approach provides an effective route for synthesizing PL magnetic nanoclusters.
- The resulting CoFe2O4@AuNCs show promise for applications requiring combined optical and magnetic functionalities.
