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Magnetite Nanostructured Porous Hollow Helical Microswimmers for Targeted Delivery
Author(s) -
Yan Xiaohui,
Zhou Qi,
Yu Jiangfan,
Xu Tiantian,
Deng Yan,
Tang Tao,
Feng Qian,
Bian Liming,
Zhang Yan,
Ferreira Antoine,
Zhang Li
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201502248
Subject(s) - materials science , nanotechnology , fabrication , superparamagnetism , surface modification , mesoporous material , nanoparticle , porosity , magnetic nanoparticles , magnetic field , chemical engineering , composite material , medicine , biochemistry , chemistry , alternative medicine , magnetization , physics , pathology , quantum mechanics , engineering , catalysis
Bacteria‐inspired magnetic helical micro‐/nanoswimmers can be actuated and steered in a fuel‐free manner using a low‐strength rotating magnetic field, generating remotely controlled 3D locomotion with high precision in a variety of biofluidic environments. They are therefore envisioned for biomedical applications related to targeted diagnosis and therapy. In this article, a porous hollow microswimmer possessing an outer shell aggregated by mesoporous spindle‐like magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) and a helical‐shaped inner cavity is proposed. The fabrication is straightforward via a cost‐effective mass‐production process of biotemplated synthesis using helical microorganisms. Here, Spirulina ‐based fabrication is demonstrated as an example. The fabricated microswimmers are superparamagnetic and exhibit low cytotoxicity. They are also capable of performing structural disassembly to form individual NPs using ultrasound when needed. For the first time in the literature of helical microswimmers, a porous hollow architecture is successfully constructed, achieving an ultrahigh specific surface area for surface functionalization and enabling diffusion‐based cargo loading/release. Furthermore, experimental and analytical results indicate better swimming performance of the microswimmers than the existing non‐hollow helical micromachines of comparable sizes and dimensions. These characteristics of the as‐proposed microswimmers suggest a novel microrobotic tool with high loading capacity for targeted delivery of therapeutic/imaging agents in vitro and in vivo.