Structural and magnetic characterisation of a biocompatible magnetic nanoparticle assembly

Abstract Magnetic nanoparticles have several promising biomedical applications. One example is the magnetic nanoparticle-based hyperthermia, where the magnetic nanoparticles absorbed by the tumor cells are subjected to alternating magnetic field to generate local heating. Other applications rely on the effect of static magnetic fields to collect or rearrange cells, which are covered with magnetic nanoparticle containing substrates. In both cases, the effect of clustering largely modifies the magnetic properties of these materials. In the present study, we have examined the commercially available multicomponent material, NanoShuttle™-PL (Greiner Bio-One) particles composed of gold, iron oxide and poly-L-lysine, which are used for the creation of levitated 3D cell cultures. While this material is often used for cell culture studies, there is no available data on its magnetic and structural properties. The aim of the study was to understand the magnetic properties of this composite material based on the characterisation of the size distribution and clustering of the magnetic nanoparticles. We have performed RAMAN, AFM/MFM measurements and SEM/STEM investigation of the composite material. Magnetic properties were investigated with a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) both in the liquid state and in the surface extracted form.