Magnetic Fe2O3-polystyrene/PPy core/shell particles: bioreactivity and self-assembly

Langmuir. 2007 Oct 23;23(22):10940-9. doi: 10.1021/la700492s. Epub 2007 Sep 28.

Abstract

This paper describes the synthesis of new magnetic, reactive polystyrene/polypyrrole core/shell latex particles. The core consists of a polystyrene microsphere containing gamma-Fe2O3 superparamagnetic nanoparticles (PSmag), and the shell is made of reactive N-carboxylic acid-functionalized polypyrrole (PPyCOOH). These PSmag-PPyCOOH latex particles, average diameter 220 nm, were prepared by copolymerization of pyrrole (Py) and the active carboxyl-functionalized pyrrole (PyCOOH) in the presence of PSmag particles. PNVP was used as a steric stabilizer. The functionalized polypyrrole-coated PSmag particles were characterized in terms of their particle size, surface morphology, chemical composition, and electrochemical and magnetic properties using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammetry, and SQUID magnetometry. Activation of the particle surface carboxyl groups was achieved using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS), which helps transform the carboxyl groups into activated ester groups (NSE). The activated particles, PSmag-PPyNSE, were further evaluated as bioadsorbents of biotin used as a model biomolecule. It was shown that biotin was immobilized at the surface of the PSmag-PPyNSE particles by forming interfacial amide groups. The assemblies of PSmag-PPyCOOH particles on glass plates were further investigated. When no magnetic field is applied, the particles assemble into 3D colloidal crystals. In contrast, under a magnetic field, one-particle-thick chains gathered in hedgehog-like architectures are obtained. Furthermore, PSmag-PPyCOOH coated ITO electrodes were shown to be electroactive and electrochemically stable, thus offering potentialities for creating novel high-specific-area materials for biosensing devices where the conducting polymer component would act as the transducer through its conductive properties.

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Electrochemistry
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Microspheres
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry*
  • Pyrroles / chemistry*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Ferric Compounds
  • Polymers
  • Polystyrenes
  • Pyrroles
  • ferric oxide
  • polypyrrole