Design of super-paramagnetic bilayer films based on chitosan and sodium alginate

Abstract Bilayer films that combine chitosan and alginate, two natural polysaccharides, and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) were obtained. Physical and microscopic observations revealed that chitosan and alginate interact strongly through their surfaces, which is attributed to the formation of a polyelectrolyte complex at the interface. The diameter of the individual MNPs was about 10 nm, although in the films they appear arranged in clusters with sizes ranging from 23 nm to several times larger that are formed by collapsed individual particles. All bilayers containing MNP behave as super-paramagnetic materials, exhibiting magnetic synergic effects in comparison to single carbohydrate films. Thus, obtained films could find novel and interesting applications as pH responsiveness systems, pad dressings including hyperthermia, adsorption of positive and negative charged pollutants, etc.