Synthesis of multifunctional Fe3O4 core/hydroxyapatite shell nanocomposites by biomineralization

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles with surface functional groups (–OH, –COOH and –NH2) were modified by in situ deposition of hydroxyapatite (HA) on the materials' surface through the biomineralization process to form Fe3O4 core/hydroxyapatite shell nanocomposites. They possess potential applications as targeted carriers for antitumor drugs and as bone tissue engineering scaffolds by integrating multiple functions into a single nanosystem.