Metallic iron-based nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Abstract

This study is focused on the fabrication and characterization of core-shell structured iron/iron-oxide nanoparticles for potential use in biomedical applications. In particular, we have investigated the effect of Pt seeding and the injection temperature of Fe(CO)5 precursor on the particle's morphology and magnetic properties. Injection of the iron precursor at low temperature led to a mixture of core-shell structured particles and separate Fe-oxide particles. Whereas, injection at high temperatures led to only core-shell nanoparticles without any separate iron oxides. The importance of the use of Pt(acac)2 to achieve more uniform and oxide free particles is investigated in detail. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.