Different Types Of Magnetic Nanoparticles Research Articles

An efficient magnetothermal actuation setup for fast heating/cooling cycles or long-term induction heating of different magnetic nanoparticle classes

Alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) in the ∼100 kHz frequency regime cause magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to dissipate heat to their nanoscale environment. This mechanism is beneficial for a variety of applications in biomedicine and nanotechnology, such as localized heating of cancer tissue, actuation of drug release, or inducing conformational changes of molecules. However, engineering electromagnetic resonant circuits which generate fields to efficiently heat MNPs over long time scales, remains a challenge. In addition, many applications require fast heating/cooling cycles over ΔT= 5 °C–10 °C to switch the sample between different states. Here, we present a home-built magnetothermal actuation setup maximized in its efficiency to deliver stable AMFs as well as to enable fast heating/cooling cycles of MNP samples. The setup satisfies various demands, such as an elaborate cooling system to control heating of the circuit components as well as of the sample due to inductive losses. Fast cycles of remote sample heating/cooling (up to ±15 °C min−1) as well as long-term induction heating were monitored via contact-free thermal image recording at sub-mm resolution. Next to characterizing the improved hyperthermia setup, we demonstrate its applicability to heat different types of MNPs: ‘nanoflower’-shaped multicore iron oxide nanoparticles, core shell magnetite MNPs, as well as magnetosomes from magnetotactic bacteria (Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense). MNPs are directly compared in their structure, surface charge, magnetic properties as well as heating response. Our work provides practical guidelines for AMF engineering and the monitoring of MNP heating for biomedical or nano-/biotechnological applications.

A method for multiplexed and volumetric-based magnetic particle spectroscopy bioassay: mathematical study

Magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS) is an emerging biosensing technique that detects target analytes by exploiting the dynamic magnetic responses of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Due to the ease of synthesis and surface chemical functionalization of MNPs, MPS-based bioassays have gained popularity around the globe. One limiting factor for MPS-based assay is the ability to detect multiple analytes simultaneously in a single run, namely, multiplexed bioassay. Several groups have reported the realization of multiplexed bioassays on surface-based MPS platforms by spatially separating reaction areas by using the unique magnetic responses of different MNPs. In this work, we systematically study the magnetization curves (M-H curves) of different types of MNPs and their relationship to the dynamic magnetic responses when subjected to AC magnetic driving fields. Due to the different structures, sizes, and magnetic properties of each kind of MNP, the resulting harmonics are unique. Thus, concurrent quantification (also called ‘colorization’) of each type of MNP in a mixture is possible by solving the harmonic matrix function. Our results show that the uniqueness of M-H response curves of selected types of MNP and the signal-to-noise ratio of the system can affect the accuracy of multiplexed, volumetric-based MPS bioassays. The reported method assumes that each type of MNPs nanoparticles does not interact, and that the magnetic response of the mixture is a linear combination of the responses of each kind of MNP. This assumption may not hold for very dense systems where inter-particle interactions become significant and may require more complex models.

Experimental Comparison of Methods to Evaluate Heat Generated by Magnetic Nanofluids Exposed to Alternating Magnetic Fields

The paper aims to compare different methods able to estimate the specific loss power (SLP) generated by three different types of magnetic nanoparticles, MNPs, dispersed in a suspension fluid, e.g., octane or water. The nanoparticles were characterized morphologically in terms of shape and size, chemically for composition and their physical properties like magnetization and SLP were studied. We evidenced the differences in SLP evaluation due to the applied method, particularly in the presence of thermally induced phenomena such as aggregation or precipitation of MNPs that can affect the heating curve of the samples. Then, the SLP determination methods less sensible to this phenomenon appear to be the ones that use the initial slope when the sample is in quasi-adiabatic condition. Finally, we propose a comparison of those methods based on the pros and cons of their use for the SLP determination of magnetic nanofluids. In particular, the analysis of the behavior of the heating curve is useful to evaluate the useful amplitude of the interval analysis for the initial slope methods.

Frequency and Amplitude Optimizations for Magnetic Particle Spectroscopy Applications

Nowadays, there is a growing interest in the field of magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS)-based bioassays. MPS monitors the dynamic magnetic response of surface-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) upon excitation by an alternating magnetic field (AMF) to detect various target analytes. This technology has flourished in the past decade due to its low cost, low background magnetic noise interference from the biomatrix, and fast response time. A large number of MPS variants have been reported by different groups around the world, with applications ranging from disease diagnosis to foodborne pathogen detection and virus detection. However, there is an urgent need for guidance on how to optimize the sensitivity of MPS detection by choosing different types of MNPs, AMF modalities, and MPS assay strategies (i.e., volume- and surface-based assays). In this work, we systematically study the effect of AMF frequencies and amplitudes on the responses of single- and multicore MNPs under two extreme conditions, namely, the bound and unbound states. Our results show that some modalities such as dual-frequency MPS utilizing multicore MNPs are more suitable for surface-based bioassay applications, whereas single-frequency MPS systems using single- or multicore MNPs are better suited for volumetric bioassay applications. Furthermore, the bioassay sensitivities for these modalities can be further improved by a careful selection of AMF frequencies and amplitudes.

Fungus-Based Magnetic Nanobiocomposites for Environmental Remediation

The use of a variety of microorganisms for the degradation of chemicals is a green solution to the problem of environmental pollution. In this work, fungi–magnetic nanoparticles were studied as systems with the potential to be applied in environmental remediation and pest control in agriculture. High food demand puts significant pressure on increasing the use of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. The global problem of water pollution also demands new remediation solutions. As a sustainable alternative to commercial chemical products, nanobiocomposites were obtained from the interaction between the fungus M. anisopliae and two different types of magnetic nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, optical and electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy were used to study the interaction between the fungus and nanoparticles, and the morphology of individual components and the final nanobiocomposites. Analyses show that the nanobiocomposites kept the same morphology as that of the fungus in natura. Magnetic measurements attest the magnetic properties of the nanobiocomposites. In summary, these nanobiocomposites possess both fungal and nanoparticle properties, i.e., nanobiocomposites were obtained with magnetic properties that provide a low-cost approach benefiting the environment (nanobiocomposites are retrievable) with more efficiency than that of the application of the fungus in natura.

Resolving ambiguities in core size determination of magnetic nanoparticles from magnetic frequency mixing data

Frequency mixing magnetic detection (FMMD) has been widely utilized as a measurement technique in magnetic immunoassays. It can also be used for the characterization and distinction (also known as “colourization”) of different types of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) based on their core sizes. In a previous work, it was shown that the large particles contribute most of the FMMD signal. This leads to ambiguities in core size determination from fitting since the contribution of the small-sized particles is almost undetectable among the strong responses from the large ones. In this work, we report on how this ambiguity can be overcome by modelling the signal intensity using the Langevin model in thermodynamic equilibrium including a lognormal core size distribution fL(dc,d0,σ) fitted to experimentally measured FMMD data of immobilized MNPs. For each given median diameter d0, an ambiguous amount of best-fitting pairs of parameters distribution width σ and number of particles Np with R2 > 0.99 are extracted. By determining the samples’ total iron mass, mFe, with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), we are then able to identify the one specific best-fitting pair (σ, Np) one uniquely. With this additional externally measured parameter, we resolved the ambiguity in core size distribution and determined the parameters (d0, σ, Np) directly from FMMD measurements, allowing precise MNPs sample characterization.

Recyclable magnetically retrievable nanocatalysts for C–heteroatom bond formation reactions

Abstract During recent years, magnetic separation has proven to be a highly indispensable and sustainable tool for facile separation of catalysts from the reaction medium with the aid of only an external magnetic force that precludes the requirement of energy intensive, solvent based centrifugation or filtration techniques. Extensive research in the area of catalysis has clearly divulged that while designing any catalyst, the foremost features that need to be paid due attention to include high activity, ready recoverability and good reusability. Fortunately, the magnetic nanocatalysts involving a superparamagnetic core material that could comprise of iron oxides such as magnetite, maghemite or hematite or mixed ferrites (CoFe2O4, CuFe2O4) have offered bright prospects of designing the ideal catalysts by proving their efficacy as strong support material that could be further engineered with various tools of nanotechnology and efficiently catalyze various C–heterobond formation reactions. This chapter provides succinct overview of all the approaches utilized for fabricating different types of magnetic nanoparticles and strategies adopted for imparting them durability. The prime forte however remains to exclusively showcase the applications of the various types of magnetic nanocatalysts in C–O, C–N, C–S and miscellaneous (C–Se, C–Te) bond formation reactions which are anticipated to benefit the synthetic community on a broad spectrum by helping them rationalize and analyze the key features that need to be taken into account, while developing these magical nanostructured catalytic systems for boosting the green bond formation reactions/transformations.

Magnetic Nanoparticles Used in Oncology.

Recently, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have more and more often been used in experimental studies on cancer treatments, which have become one of the biggest challenges in medical research. The main goal of this research is to treat and to cure advanced or metastatic cancer with minimal side effects through nanotechnology. Drug delivery approaches take into account the fact that MNPs can be bonded to chemotherapeutical drugs, nucleic acids, synthetized antibodies or radionuclide substances. MNPs can be guided, and different treatment therapies can be applied, under the influence of an external magnetic field. This paper reviews the main MNPs’ synthesis methods, functionalization with different materials and highlight the applications in cancer therapy. In this review, we describe cancer cell monitorization based on different types of magnetic nanoparticles, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, magnetic hyperthermia, gene therapy and ferroptosis. Examples of applied treatments on murine models or humans are analyzed, and glioblastoma cancer therapy is detailed in the review. MNPs have an important contribution to diagnostics, investigation, and therapy in the so called theranostics domain. The main conclusion of this paper is that MNPs are very useful in different cancer therapies, with limited side effects, and they can increase the life expectancy of patients with cancer drug resistance.

IN-SITU SYNTHESIS OF 3D-PRINTED MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES EMBEDDED PHOTOPOLYMERS

In order to enhance magnetic and thermal properties of polymeric structures in 3D (three-dimensional) form, stereolithography technique is an alternative way to in-situ synthesize magnetic nanoparticles such as iron, cobalt and nickel in photocurable resin during laser photopolymerization for magnetic micromachines. By using different types of magnetic nanoparticles in the resin, the formed structure exhibits different mechanical, thermal and magnetic behaviors.In this study, magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by laser irradiation to investigate the effects of the magnetic nanoparticles in 3D structure. Under constant metal salt amount and forming layer thickness, morphological, characterization, mechanical, thermal and magnetic properties were conducted by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), tensile test, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), respectively. As a result, it observed that the magnetic properties of iron-based polymeric structures show higher saturation magnetization (0.0145 emu/gr) while thermal stability remains low for other magnetic embedded polymer samples. In the presence of magnetic nanoparticles, its mechanical strength decreased from 14 MPa to 5 MPa for all experiments against pure 3D resin, as well as it leads to more fragile structures. Finally, for each sample, singular magnetic nanoparticles were formed in the polymer matrix and verified that nanoparticles are completely reduced.

Magnetic Nanoparticle Hyperthermia for Cancer Treatment: a Review On Nanoparticle Types and Thermal Analyses

Abstract Magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia (MNH) is a localized cancer treatment which uses an alternating magnetic field to excite magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) injected into a tumor, causing them to generate heat. Once the temperature of the tumor tissue reaches about 43°C, the cancerous cells die. Different types of MNPs have been studied, including iron oxides with various coatings, Cu-Ni alloys and complex manganese/zinc particles. This paper reviews different types of MNPs and assesses them by magnetization, SAR, and Curie Temperature. We reviewed the achievements and limitations of the works in this field. A major issue with MNH is maintaining effective hyperthermia while preserving healthy tissue. Numerical modeling can predict temperature distribution and safely simulate hyperthermia. The most used bioheat transfer equation is Pennes' equation which includes a term for blood perfusion, an important factor for temperature distribution. While some models safely neglect it, most include blood perfusion term. Some recent models have also included large blood vessels, others used their own heat transfer models. This article reviews the different models and classifies them based on how they address blood flow. A need for studies with realistic tumor shapes was identified. The irregular shape of most tumors could result in less uniform temperature distribution than in the commonly used circular or spherical models. This article aims to identify potential future work to create more realistic tumor models.

Enzyme Storage and Recycling: Nanoassemblies of α-Amylase and Xylanase Immobilized on Biomimetic Magnetic Nanoparticles.

Immobilization of enzymes has been extensively required in a wide variety of industrial applications as a way to ensure functionality and the potential of enzyme recycling after use. In particular, enzyme immobilization on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) could offer reusability by means of magnetic recovery and concentration, along with increased stability and robust activity of the enzyme under different physicochemical conditions. In the present work, microbial α-amylase (AmyKS) and xylanase (XAn11) were both immobilized on different types of MNPs [MamC-mediated biomimetic MNPs (BMNPs) and inorganic MNPs] by using two different strategies (electrostatic interaction and covalent bond). AmyKS immobilization was successful using electrostatic interaction with BMNPs. Instead, the best strategy to immobilize XAn11 was using MNPs through the hetero-crosslinker 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). The immobilization protocols were optimized by varying glutaraldehyde (GA) concentration, enzyme quantity, and reaction time. Under optimal conditions, 92% of AmyKS and 87% of XAn11 were immobilized on BMNPs and MNPs–E/N, respectively (here referred as AmyKS–BMNPs and XAn11–MNPs nanoassemblies). The results show that the immobilization of the enzymes did not extensively alter their functionality and increased enzyme stability compared to that of the free enzyme upon storage at 4 and 20 °C. Interestingly, the immobilized amylase and xylanase were reused for 15 and 8 cycles, respectively, without significant loss of activity upon magnetic recovery of the nanoassemblies. The results suggest the great potential of these nanoassemblies in bioindustry applications.

Prospect of Different Types of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Stem Cell Therapy

Magnetic targeting (MT) has been an emerging technology which is used to improve the delivery and retention of transplanted therapeutic cells in target site over the past 20years. Meanwhile, stem cells have also been a research hotspot in cell therapy in recent years. Several researchers have combined the MT technology with Stem cell therapy in order to improve the efficacy. However, Different types of Magnetic Nano particles (MNPs) have presented different effects, and how to choose a proper MNPs became a question. This article aims to introduce the preparation method and application field of different types of magnetic Nanoparticles, discuss the pros and cons of different types of MNPs in stem cell therapy and make a prospect of MT technology in Stem cell therapy.

Materials for Solid-Phase Extraction of Organic Compounds

This review provides an overview of the most recent developments involving materials for solid-phase extraction applied to determine organic contaminants. It mainly concerns polymer-based sorbents that include high-capacity, as well as selective sorbents, inorganic-based sorbents that include those prepared using sol-gel technology along with structured porous materials based on inorganic species, and carbon nanomaterials, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes. Different types of magnetic nanoparticles coated with these materials are also reviewed. Such materials, together with their main morphological and chemical features, are described, as are some representative examples of their application as solid-phase extraction materials to extract organic compounds from different types of samples, including environmental water, biological fluids, and food.

Magnetic and Heat Resistant Poly(imide-ether) Nanocomposites Derived from Methyl Rich 9H-xanthene: Synthesis and Characterization

In this study a new series of magnetic and heat resistant nanocomposites were prepared based on a highly soluble poly(imide-ether) (PIE) reinforced with two different types of magnetic nanoparticles via a solution intercalation technique. New PIE with good solubility and desired molar mass containing bulky xanthene rings and amide groups in the side chains was synthesized via thermal cyclization of the poly(amic acid) precursor, obtained from the reaction of a new diamine derived from 9H-xanthene and 4,4′-oxydiphthalic dianhydride (ODPA). Improved solubility was attributed to the presence of xanthene group and flexible ether linkage in the polyimide backbones that reduce the chain-chain interaction and enhance solubility by penetrating solvent molecules into the polyimide chains. Fe3O4 nanoparticles (MNPs) which synthesized from chemical co-precipitation route were coated with silica (SiO2), sequentially with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and poly-melamine-terephthaldehyde (MNPs-PMT), and then separately dispersed in the poly(amic acid) solutions and thermally imidized to form PIE/Fe3O4 and PIE/MNPs-PMT nanocomposites. The nanostructures and properties of the resultant materials were investigated using FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The properties of the nanocomposites were strongly related to the dispersion and interaction between the nanoparticles and PIE matrix. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that the addition of MNPs-PMT nanoparticles resulted in a substantial increase in the thermal stability of the corresponding PIEN. The temperature at 10% weight loss (T10) was increased from 416 °C to 428 °C for PIEN containing 3 wt% MNPs-PMT as compared to neat PIE, as well the char yield enhanced. Furthermore, the MNPs-PMT nanoparticles had better dispersion in the polymer matrix due to the strong intermolecular hydrogen bond interactions between the NH and C=N groups of surface-modified nanoparticles and the PIE matrix than the uncoated Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and exhibited a better intercalated morphology and improved thermal properties. Also, the PIEN nanocomposites under applied magnetic field exhibited the hysteretic loops of the superparamagnetic nature.

Gentamicin coated iron oxide nanoparticles as novel antibacterial agents

Applications of different types of magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical purposes started a long time back. The concept of surface functionalization of the iron oxide nanoparticles with antibiotics is a novel technique which paves the path for further application of these nanoparticles by virtue of their property of superparamagnetism. In this paper, we have synthesized novel iron oxide nanoparticles surface functionalized with Gentamicin. The average size of the particles, concluded from the HR-TEM images, came to be around 14 nm and 10 nm for unmodified and modified nanoparticles, respectively. The magnetization curve M(H) obtained for these nanoparticles are typical of superparamagnetic nature and having almost zero values of coercivity and remanance. The release properties of the drug coated nanoparticles were studied; obtaining an S shaped profile, indicating the initial burst effect followed by gradual sustained release. In vitro investigations against various gram positive and gram negative strains viz Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis indicated significant antibacterial efficiency of the drug-nanoparticle conjugate. The MIC values indicated that a small amount like 0.2 mg ml−1 of drug capped particles induce about 98% bacterial death. The novelty of the work lies in the drug capping of the nanoparticles, which retains the superparamagnetic nature of the iron oxide nanoparticles and the medical properties of the drug simultaneously, which is found to extremely blood compatible.

Nanoengineered thermoresponsive magnetic hydrogels for biomedical applications.

“Smart” hydrogels are part of an emerging class of biomaterials that respond to multiple external stimuli. A range of thermoresponsive magnetic hydrogels is currently being developed for on‐demand delivery of biomolecules for a range of biomedical applications, including therapeutic drug delivery, bioimaging, and regenerative engineering. In this review article, we explore different types of magnetic nanoparticles and thermoresponsive polymers used to fabricate these smart nanoengineered hydrogels. We highlight some of the emerging applications of these stimuli‐responsive hydrogels for biomedical applications. Finally, we capture the growing trend of these smart nanoengineered hydrogels and will identify promising new research directions.

Magnetic nanoparticles: mechanistic studies on the cancer cell interaction

Abstract Magnetic nanoparticles are renowned for their anticancer activity. Recent studies have elucidated that magnetic nanoparticles induce cytotoxicity by induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. The magnetic nanoparticles can also be biosynthesized, and this presents an added advantage along with the concept of limited toxicity to normal cells. This review focuses on the mechanistic studies performed on the anticancer activity of different types of magnetic nanoparticles. Apoptosis was shown to be the most plausible reason behind the cell death mediated by various types of magnetic nanoparticles.

Reentrant paramagnetism induced by drastic reduction of magnetic couplings at surfaces of superparamagnetic nanoparticles

Superparamagnetism appears when the N\'eel-Brown relaxation time of magnetic nanoparticles is shorter than the measurement time. Recent experimental studies of different types of magnetic nanoparticles revealed the existence of another paramagnetic region below the standard blocking temperatures. Here we elucidate the microscopic origin of this reentrant paramagnetism using a phenomenological model, which exploits the effects of weaker magnetic coupling strengths at the surfaces of ultrasmall nanoparticles. Within this picture, we have calculated the total magnetization of various nanoparticle arrays upon both finite-field and zero-field cooling processes via detailed classical Monte Carlo simulations, and found that the appearance of the reentrant phenomena necessarily invokes a drastic reduction of the magnetic coupling strengths at the surfaces of the nanoparticles. Our predictions can be readily tested experimentally using a micro-SQUID, and is expected to be beneficial in further applications of superparamagnetic nanoparticles.

Magnetic polymer nanocomposites for environmental and biomedical applications

Hybrid nanomaterials have received voluminous interest due to the combination of unique properties of organic and inorganic component in one material. In this class, magnetic polymer nanocomposites are of particular interest because of the combination of excellent magnetic properties, stability, and good biocompatibility. Organic–inorganic magnetic nanocomposites can be prepared by in situ, ex situ, microwave reflux, co-precipitation, melt blending, and ceramic–glass processing and plasma polymerization techniques. These nanocomposites have been exploited for in vivo imaging, as superparamagnetic or negative contrast agents, drug carriers, heavy metal adsorbents, and magnetically recoverable photocatalysts for degradation of organic pollutants. This review article is mainly focused on fabrication of magnetic polymer nanocomposites and their applications. Different types of magnetic nanoparticles, methods of their synthesis, properties, and applications have also been reviewed briefly. The review also provides detailed insight into various types of magnetic nanocomposites and their synthesis. Diverse applications of magnetic nanocomposites including environmental and biomedical uses have been discussed.

Synthesis, characterization and magnetic properties of novel heat resistant polyimide nanocomposites derived from 14H-dibenzo [a,j] xanthene

New magnetic and heat resistant polyimide (PI) nanocomposites containing two different types of magnetic nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a solution intercalation technique. New PI derived from 14H-dibenzo [a,j] xanthene, which contain benzophenone, amide and ether moieties, was synthesized by thermal cyclization of an aromatic precursor polymer, obtained from the reaction of the new diamine N-(4-(4-(14H-dibenzo [a,j] xanthen-14-yl) phenoxy) phenyl)-3,5-diaminobenzamide and 3,3’,4,4’-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA). The synthesized PI was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), UV-vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The structural and electronic properties of the xanthene-based polyimide unit were studied by ab intio DFT method using the B3LYP/6-31G (d) level of theory. The HOMO, LUMO and band gap (ΔE = ELUMO - EHOMO) energies of the polyimide unit were calculated. PI nanocomposites were prepared by coating magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles sequentially with silica (SiO2) and 1-methyl-3-(triethoxysilylpropyl) imidazolium chloride; the Fe3O4 and surface-modified Fe3O4 (Fe3O4@SiO2-ImCl) nanoparticles were then dispersed in the poly (amic acid) solutions and thermally imidized to form PI/Fe3O4 and PI/Fe3O4@SiO2-ImCl nanocomposites. The morphology, crystalline phase, thermal stability and magnetization properties of the resultant materials were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and FTIR techniques. The results indicated that the as-prepared nanocomposites exhibited superparamagnetic properties and improvements in the thermal stability compared to neat polyimide. Furthermore, the Fe3O4@SiO2-ImCl nanoparticles has better dispersion in the polymer matrix, than the uncoated Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and thus the PI/Fe3O4@SiO2-ImCl nanocomposite prepared using the coated nanoparticles exhibits a better intercalated morphology and improved thermal properties than the PI/Fe3O4 nanocomposite.