Impact of coating type on structure and magnetic properties of biocompatible iron oxide nanoparticles: insights into cluster organization and oxidation stability

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are a promising tool for biomedical applications, including drug delivery, imaging, and magnetic hyperthermia. However, their tendency to agglomerate limits their performance efficiency. To overcome this limitation, a coating can be applied during or after synthesis. This work investigates the effect of three biocompatible coatings, namely sodium citrate, (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), and dextran, on controlling the agglomeration of iron oxide nanoparticles. Various experimental techniques were used to characterize the structural and magnetic properties of the coated nanoparticles, including cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), magnetometry, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering. The results indicate that the coatings effectively stabilize the nanoparticles, leading to clusters of different sizes that modify their magnetic behaviour due to magnetic inter-particle interactions. The oxidation kinetics of the nanoparticles prepared with the various coating materials were investigated to characterize their oxidation behaviour and stability over time. This research provides valuable insights into the design of an optimized nanoparticle functionalization strategy for biomedical applications.