Synthesis of polyelectrolyte nanocapsules with iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles for magnetic targeting

Magnetic vehicles have become highly promising for delivery of therapeutic actives as they can be targeted to selected pathologically changed tissues/cells through the application of a magnetic field gradient. The aim of this work was to prepare and characterize nanocapsules with iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic targeting. Nanocapsules were prepared by encapsulation of oil droplets containing hydrophobic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NP) in polyelectrolyte shells, using the layer by layer technique. The average size of synthesized nanocapsules was similar to 100 nm and the batch concentration was 10(11) nanocapsules/ml. Morphology of magnetic carriers were investigated by Cryo-Scanning Electron Microscopy. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.