Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles and Nanowires—A Brief Introduction

Katz Katz

doi:10.3390/magnetochemistry5040061

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic nano-species of complex topology (e.g., nanorods, nanowires, nanotubes, etc.) are overviewed briefly in the paper, mostly giving attention to the synthetic details and particle composition (e.g., core-shell structures made of different materials). Some aspects related to applications of magnetic nano-species are briefly discussed. While not being a comprehensive review, the paper offers a large collection of references, particularly useful for newcomers in the research area.

Highlights

Magnetic Nanoparticles—Motivations and ApplicationsMagnetic particles of different size (nano- and micro-) and various composition resulting in different magnetization (superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic) have found numerous applications in biotechnology [1] and medicine [2,3,4,5]
Magnetic particles of different size and various composition resulting in different magnetization have found numerous applications in biotechnology [1] and medicine [2,3,4,5]
Magnetic nano- and micro-particles have been modified with various organic and bioorganic molecules as well as with biological cells and cellular components. These species demonstrating magnetic properties and biocatalytic or biorecognition features are usually organized in “core-shell” structures, with the core part made of inorganic magnetic material and the shell composed of biomolecular/biological species chemically bound to the core with organic linkers [25,26]

Summary

Magnetic Nanoparticles—Motivations and Applications

Magnetic particles of different size (nano- and micro-) and various composition resulting in different magnetization (superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic) have found numerous applications in biotechnology [1] and medicine [2,3,4,5]. Magnetic nano- and micro-particles have been modified with various organic and bioorganic molecules (proteins [20], enzymes [21], antigens, antibodies [22], DNA [23], RNA [24], etc.) as well as with biological cells and cellular components These species demonstrating magnetic properties and biocatalytic or biorecognition features are usually organized in “core-shell” structures, with the core part made of inorganic magnetic material and the shell composed of biomolecular/biological species chemically bound to the core with organic linkers [25,26]. Biomolecular-functionalized magnetic particles have found many applications in various biosensing procedures [27], mostly for immunosensing and DNA analysis, as well as in environmental and homeland security monitoring [28]

Core-Shell Structures

Magnetic Nanoparticles Coated with Noble Metal Shells

Magnetic Nanoparticles Combined with Metallic Nano-Species or Quantum Dots

Modification of Magnetic Nanoparticles with Various Biomolecules