Structured Magnetic Core/Silica Internal Shell Layer and Protein Out Layer Shell (BSA@SiO2@SME): Preparation and Characterization

Purpose: Magnetic nanoparticles are an interesting approach in the biomedical and biotechnological field. They can be used as a drug delivery system or in magnetic resonance imaging. However, these particles have the disadvantage of being colloidally instable, easily oxidized, and suffer from partial toxicity. To overcome these problems, magnetic nanoparticles were coated by different types of coats such as silica, polymer, etc. the purpose of this study is to develop a coated iron oxide nanoparticle system. Methods: Seed magnetic emulsion particles (SME) were first prepared and characterized before inducing silica layer using sol–gel process. The obtained SiO2@SME particles are then encapsulated using bovine serum albumin (BSA) layer. This proteins layer was performed via nanoprecipitation of BSA molecules on the SME. Particles were characterized by electron microscopy, FTIR, TGA, and zeta potential measurement. Results: Characterization studies confirm the successful coating of BSA on the surface of amino-functionalized silica shell and magnetic core. Conclusion: The used process leads to the preparation of highly magnetic particles encapsulated with silica layer ad then coated with proteins shell. The presence of silica shell will enhance the chemical stability of the magnetic core, whereas, the presence of proteins shell will improve low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility in the contact with biological samples.