Synthesis, properties and cytotoxicity of nanostructured nickel ferrite particles

Abstract

Motivated by using nickel ferrite nanoparticles as potential drug carrier, this thesis studied their synthesis and characteristics, their composites with poly (D,L-lactide) (PLA), and their cytotoxicity. Nickel ferrite particles with oleic acid coating were synthesized by non-hydrolytic sol-gel method. Because oleic acid could complex with iron (III) ions, but not with nickel (II) ions, variation of precursor composition caused different microstructures, i.e. individual nanocrystals or aggregates of many nanocrystals. For the composites of nickel ferrite nanoparticles with PLA, their properties were strongly dependent on particles surface. The optimal mixed composite was achieved by reducing interfacial energy between the two components. Cytotoxicity also significantly depended on the surface coating. When 1 layer or 2 layers of oleic acid were coated, larger particles were more cytotoxic than smaller ones. The size effect could be related to the surface energies and surface interaction areas that were size-dependent.