Surface Modification of Magnetite with PBS Using a Ricinoleic‐Toluene Diisocyanate Fragment as the Binder Structure

Abstract

AbstractMagnetite nanoparticles are widely used in current medicine because their magnetite properties allow several uses as drug delivery systems, contrasts in imaging tests, and even for magnetohyperthermia. However, magnetic nanoparticles possess meager Zeta potential, presenting a strong tendency to agglomerate. For clinical use, they must be covered with a biocompatible material to maintain colloidal stability, without, however, altering its magnetic properties. Thus, for biomedical applications in general, magnetic nanocomposites are more interesting than pure magnetite. The present work applies poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), as a coating on magnetite nanoparticles, aiming to increase their biocompatibility. PBS is a polymer obtained from renewable sources, being entirely suitable for pharmacological uses. In this work, the synthesis of ricinoleic acid from natural castor oil is carried out through the saponification method and subsequent acid hydrolysis. In turn, the synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles is performed by coprecipitation. Then, by an acid‐base reaction, the nanoparticles are treated with ricinoleic acid. Soon afterward, toluene diisocyanate is used to produce bonding between the modified particles and PBS. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the synthesis of the material. Also, scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering experiments are performed. The obtained results allow inferring the success in the preparation of the pursued hybrid material.