Characterization of magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles with fluorescent properties for potential multipurpose imaging and theranostic applications

Abstract

Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were produced using hydrothermal synthesis and coated with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) where Fe3O4@SiO2 MNPs with fluorescent properties were obtained. Structural characterization of the nanoparticles was performed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Structural investigations confirmed that nanoparticles were in core@shell form. Chemical characterizations were performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Chemical investigations confirm that TEOS coating was successfully formed SiO2 shells on Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Magnetic characterizations revealed that nanoparticles show superparamagnetic properties which make them a suitable candidate for magnetic hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications. Increased thickness of SiO2 shell in nanoparticle structure results in decreased magnetic saturation values. Fluorescence properties of the nanoparticles were confirmed using fluorescence spectroscopy. Increased SiO2 shell thickness results in increased fluorescent intensity. It was confirmed that Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticle has the potential to be used in medical applications such as MRI, fluorescence imaging and magnetic hyperthermia, and so on.