Investigation of magnetically enhanced swelling behaviour of superparamagnetic starch nanoparticles

The present study follows a novel strategy for the preparation of superparamagnetic nanoparticles of cross-linked starch impregnated homogeneously with nanosized iron oxide. The prepared magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction and magnetization studies. The size of the magnetic polymeric particles was found to lie in the range of 20–80 nm, and they exhibited superparamagnetic properties. The particles were allowed to swell in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and the influence of factors such as chemical composition of nanoparticles, pH and temperature of the swelling bath and applied magnetic field was investigated on the water intake capacity of the nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticles showed potential to provide a possible option for controlled and targeted delivery of anticancer drugs, applying external magnetic field.