Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan Microspheres Encapsulating Superparamagnetic Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

摘要

Chitosan microspheres (Chi-Fe microspheres) encapsulating superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION, Fe3O4) were produced using a high voltage electrostatic field system. The surface morphology and size of these prepared Chi-Fe microspheres were examined using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The preliminarily results showed that the size of the Chi-Fe microspheres was at the range of 600 m in diameter, however, the surface morphologies could be changed by treating with different ratios of crosslinking solution. The formulation with ratio of 17:3 (Na5P3O10: NaOH) had a smoother surface and better mechanical strength. The amount of SPION encapsulated increased the size of Chi-Fe microspheres and the minimum amount of SPION to have significant magnetization result was 1.68mg (30%). The Chi-Fe microspheres could be attracted (or moved) under the magnetic field.