Preparation and characterization of thermal-sensitive ferrofluids for drug delivery application

Abstract

Novel thermal-sensitive ferro fluids (F127-ferro fluids) consisting of core-shell-type magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in Pluronic F127-containing aqueous solution were prepared. The core (magnet)-shell (Pluronic F127) nanoparticles were synthesized by in situ coprecipitation process, which were characterized using transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometer. The F127-ferro fluids gelled above the lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) of approximately 23-28 degrees C, which were higher than that of pure Pluronic F127-. fluids ( 21-25 degrees C). The increase in the LCST of the F127 ferro. fluids may be attributed to a result of a physical interaction between the F127 molecules and the core-shell magnetic nanoparticles. (C) 2006 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.