Electrochemical Synthesis of Magnetic Core-Shell Nanoparticles

Core-shell nanostructures have attracted considerable interest as a new class of nanomaterials due to the fascinating physical and chemical characteristics. Herein, a facial and low-cost approach was reported for the synthesis of gold@iron oxide  core-shell nanoparticles. By using the citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles as seeds, the gold@iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared via an electroxidation of iron nail at 1.0 V between the electrodes in aqueous solution. Modulating with the parameters such as pH values, buffers and reaction time make the iron shell thickness to be well controlled. Most importantly, gold@iron oxide nanoparticles turn superparamagnetic after annealing at 350℃ for six hours under nitrogen environment. The enhanced magnetic properties of the resulting core-shell nanoparticles show their future potential in magnetic resonance imaging as well as targeted delivery through magnetofection.