Influence of Nanoparticle Surface Chemistry on Properties of Iron Oxide–Poly(ethylene oxide) Nanocomposites*

Heating using magnetically susceptible nanoparticles has shown promise in biomedical applications in areas such as tissue engineering and drug delivery. In the current work, the effect of surface coating on iron oxide nanoparticles heated via an alternating magnetic field (AMF) was explored. Two coatings were investigated in addition to bare nanoparticles: poly(ethylene glycol), PEG, coated and amine coated 50–nm–diameter iron oxide nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were dispersed in concentrations varying from 0.010–0.750% by weight in poly (ethylene oxide), PEO. PEO was chosen due to its known biocompatibility and use in the healthcare industry. A significant increase in temperature was observed considering the low loading of particles in all samples. Analysis of heating curves revealed an unusual result. The amine coated particles had a much more significant and rapid response than either the uncoated or PEG coated nanoparticles. Healing properties of samples were also investigated as a function of AMF parameters and iron oxide surface chemistry.