Authors: Yingrak Prayin Boonjira Rutnakornpituk Uthai Wichai Tirayut Vilaivan Metha Rutnakornpituk
Publish Date: 2014/03/22
Volume: 16, Issue: 4, Pages: 2357-
Abstract
Herein we report the synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles MNPs grafted with polypolyethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylatestat2vinyl44dimethylazlactone copolymers polyPEGMAstatVDM prepared via a surfaceinitiated atom transfer radical polymerization ATRP and used for the immobilization of folic acid FA The MNPs were synthesized using a thermal decomposition method and surface functionalized to obtain ATRPinitiating sites The particle size was in the range of 5–10 nm with the average of 80 ± 12 nm in diameter Molar ratio of PEGMA to VDM was systematically varied 0/100 30/70 50/50 and 70/30 respectively in the copolymerization to obtain water dispersible MNP with various amounts of azlactone rings an electrophilic moiety on its surface Grafting density of VDM on the particle surface increased with increased VDM loading in the copolymerization reaction These copolymercoated MNPs were well dispersible in water with some nanoscale aggregation after FA functionalization due to hydrophobic character of FA Since FA is a cancer cell targeting agent it is anticipated that these novel FAfunctionalized MNPs could be used as magnetically guidable vehicle for drug delivery particularly for cancer treatment The results of this study warrant a future investigation of this promising systemThe authors thank the Thailand Research Fund TRF DBG5580002 for financial support We also thank the FrancoThai Cooperation Program in Higher Education and Research 2009–2010 provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Higher Education and Research of France and the Commission on Higher Education of Thailand and PHC Grant PHC 2009–2010 No 20609UF YP specially acknowledges the Royal Golden Jubilee PhD Program for the scholarship PHD/0207/2551 The Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry PERCHCIC Commission on Higher Education Ministry of Education is also gratefully acknowledged for financial support
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