Synthesis and magnetic manipulation of hybrid nanobeads based on Fe3O4 nanoclusters and hyaluronic acid grafted with an ethylene glycol-based copolymer

Magnetic biopolymer hybrid nanoparticles have gained a lot of attention in the field of biomedical applications. Here we present the synthesis of hyaluronic acid (HA)-coated magnetic clusters of superparamagnetic nanoparticles. Firstly, the superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles coated with oleic acid were synthesized and characterized in terms of size, composition and magnetic properties. Secondly, magnetic nanoclusters were prepared and wrapped with HA grafted with an ethylene glycol-based copolymer. The resulting nanostructures and nanobeads were characterized using electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetric analysis and magnetic measurements. The clustering of magnetite nanoparticles facilitates magnetic purification, separation, rapid attraction and controlled positioning by high field gradient micro-magnet arrays. In addition, clusters could be formed in the presence of a fluorescent drug model, which demonstrates the possibility of dual functionalization of our hybrid nanosystems: magnetic responsiveness and drug encapsulation.