SURFACE MODIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF Fe3O4/Au COMPOSITE NANOPARTICLES

Fe3O4/Au composite nanoparticles were modified with α-thio-ω-carboxy poly (ethylene glycol). Results from XRD, selected area diffraction, high-resolution TEM images, and dynamic lighting scattering illustrate that the particles have a core/shell composite structure and were monodispersed. Surface plasmon resonance measured by UV–Vis indicates that the absorption peak of the modified composite particle characteristic at 532 nm can be stably suspended in a different buffer. The modified composite particles also have good response to external magnetic field. The Fe3O4/Au composite nanoparticles are magnetically and optically active, and are useful for simultaneous magnetic and optical detection. Coupled with biomolecules, the advantages of these composite particles make them very promising for biomedical applications in the near future.