Nanocomposite
capsules containing magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs)
are promising multifunctional drug delivery systems for various biomedical
applications. The presence of MNPs allows one to visualize these capsules
via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optoacoustic (photoacoustic)
imaging. Moreover, we can ensure precise navigation and remote release
via a magnetic field gradient and alternating magnetic fields, respectively.
Magnetic dipole–dipole interaction between single capsules
is important when a magnetic field is applied, and it is determined
by a magnetic moment of each individual capsule. However, there is
a lack of experimental data on the magnetic moment of a single capsule.
Physical properties of capsules vary due to the change in the volume
fraction of MNPs, as well as the capsule shell architecture. Therefore,
two types of submicron capsules with different amounts of MNPs were
synthesized. The first type of capsules was prepared by freezing-induced
loading and layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. The amount of MNPs varied
by the number of freezing-induced loading cycles: two, four, and six.
The second type of capsules is a nanocomposite shell formed using
the LbL assembly of the oppositely charged polyelectrolytes and MNPs.
Structural properties of both types of submicron capsules and MNPs
were studied using transmission electron microscopy. Magnetic moments
of nanocomposite shells placed in an external magnetic field were
directly measured by optical tweezers and calculated based on vibrating-sample
magnetometer measurements of the water suspension of nanocomposite
shells. The magnetic moment of an individual shell depends on the
amount of MNPs and increases as the number of MNPs per shell grows.
Magnetic coupling parameters and the specific absorption rate were
calculated. The obtained results can be applied while preparing drug
carrier systems sensitive to alternating magnetic fields and navigated
by gradient magnetic fields. They can also be taken into account in
device development for navigating drug delivery systems and for the
treatment based on alternating magnetic field-induced hyperthermia.