Single step synthesis of glutamic/tartaric acid-stabilised Fe3O4 nanoparticles for targeted delivery systems

Abstract

This paper aims to improve medical strategies regarding cancer treatment, by developing new targeted cancer therapy nanostructured systems, based on magnetite and natural catabolism products as coating agents (glutamic acid, tartaric acid), with induced cellular internalization. In order to create hydrophilic, biocompatible systems, suitable for targeted cancer therapy, and minimize the negative side effects of current approaches, a one-pot synthesis by co-precipitation technique, starting from Fe2+ and Fe3+ inorganic precursors and multifunctional organic compounds, carefully controlling the reaction parameters (concentration of precursors, pH, temperature etc.) was performed. The obtained Fe3O4 stabilised nanoparticles were subjected to morphological and structural characterization. The formation of inorganic-organic hybrid systems was evaluated using FTIR spectroscopy and complex thermal analysis (TG/DSC) for determining the content of the organic component, while X-ray Diffractometry and Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy were used to characterize the crystallinity and particle dimensions and distribution. The magnetic properties at room temperature were also evaluated, recording the magnetic susceptibility relative to the applied magnetic field.