Electrospun functionalized magnetic polyamide 6 composite nanofiber: Fabrication and stabilization

Abstract

One of the major challenges in the preparation of magnetic nanoparticles is to minimize the aggregation of the obtained nanoparticles. In addition, the presence of functional groups on the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles and the allowance of further functionalizing of these particles with drugs and therapeutic agents are other drawbacks. Functionalized magnetic polyamide 6 composite nanofibers (magnetic PA6) with diameters of 120 and 200 nm were fabricated by electrospinning process. The surface of the magnetic particles was functionalized with polyethylenimine (PEI), 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS), polyethylene glycol, and tetraethoxysilane on an individual basis. The dispersion of magnetic nanoparticles within the polymeric solution of polyamide 6 was created and examined by the electrospinning process. The morphologies and diameter distributions of the resultant nanofibers were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The APTS/PA6 solution coated magnetic nanoparticles showed better electrospinning performance than the other structures. The dispersion and the morphology of the magnetic nanoparticles in the PA6 nanofiber matrix were investigated using SEM, energy‐dispersive X‐ray, and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the thermal stability and magnetic behavior of these nanoparticles were assessed using thermal gravimetric analysis and vibrating sample magnetometer, respectively. The introduced preparation method in this work not only provides nanofibers with controlled size but also homogeneously dispersed the magnetic nanoparticles within the fibers. The combination of high magnetic properties with outstanding thermal stability as presented by the obtained magnetic nanofibers in this study is very promising in the diagnosis and therapy of cancer. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:296–303, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers