Characterization of Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles Functionalized with a Biomarker Peptide

Abstract

The identification of peptides that can be coupled to magnetic nanoparticles and be directed against specific receptors has been developed and applied intensively in various biomedical applications, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to diagnose neurodegenerative diseases. This work describes the properties of magnetic zero-valent iron (nZVI) nanoparticles coated with silica and subsequently decorated with a peptide as a biomarker of neuroinflammation. The synthesized nanostructured compounds were systematically characterized by XRD, SEM, AFM, DLS, FTIR and VSM techniques. Biotin-Streptavin-HRP system was carried out to confirm the peptide's anchoring to the surface of the nanoparticles. The results showed that this nanostructured compound is an excellent candidate as a contrast agent capable of being used in magnetic resonance imaging, which would optimize the diagnosis of neuroinflammatory lesions compared to current contrast media.

The impact of Cu, Ni and Fe2O3 on the magnetic behavior and structural properties of FeSiO2 nanocomposite synthesized through ball milling

“…The hysteresis loops of prepared composites are measured using a VSM with the applied magnetics field from −15 kOe to 15 kOe, as shown in figure 8. All curves showed coercivity and retentivity different from zero, providing a ferromagnetic shape [46]. The Fe/SiO 2 systems exhibited total saturation in a magnetic field of 13 kOe.…”

“…As the milling process progresses, the mechanical forces exerted by the milling media, such as balls or beads, induce repeated deformation and fragmentation of the particles. Particle breakage becomes the dominant mechanism during the early stages of milling, facilitated by high-energy collisions between the milling media and the composite particles [46,47].…”

“…These factors include the milling conditions, such as milling speed and milling media, as well as the composition and properties of the Fe/SiO2 nanocomposite, and the presence of any additives or surfactants. It is through careful consideration of these factors that one can better understand and control the morphological and size changes that occur during the milling process [46,47].…”

“…However, in the case of the FeFe 2 O 3 /SiO 2 nanocomposite, there is no observable shift in the ATR spectrum of the Si-O-Si bond despite the addition of iron (Fe 2 O 3 ) particles to the nanocomposite. This lack of shift may be due to the fact that the iron in the FeFe 2 O 3 /SiO 2 alloy is already present in the oxidized form (Fe 2 O 3 ) and is therefore less likely to form chemical bonds with the silicate particles, unlike the non-oxidized iron particles in the FeSiO 2 alloy[44][45][46][47].…”