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Nanostructured Hematite Decorated with Gold Nanoparticles for Functionalization and Biocompatibility
Author(s) -
Menezes Lucivaldo R.,
Sombrio Guilherme,
Costa Claudia A.,
Bronzato Julia D.,
Rodrigues Tiago,
Souza José A.,
Nantes-Cardoso Iseli L.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
physica status solidi (a)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.532
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1862-6319
pISSN - 1862-6300
DOI - 10.1002/pssa.201900589
Subject(s) - hematite , biocompatibility , materials science , surface modification , nanotechnology , colloidal gold , nanoparticle , chemical engineering , ethylene glycol , metallurgy , engineering
Iron oxides have attracted the attention of researchers due to their abundance, low cost, low toxicity, and versatility of applications. According to the composition and crystalline structure, iron oxides may have characteristics of semiconductors and magnetic materials, such as hematite (α‐Fe 2 O 3 ) and magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ), respectively. The property of biocompatibility of hematite is essential to be applied in the construction of micro‐/nanorobots (MNRs). Herein, the decoration of hierarchically structured core/shell Fe 3 O 4 /Fe 2 O 3 microtubes and foils with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for functionalization and enhancement of biocompatibility that favor the use in MNR fabrication is presented. In this case, the synthesis of AuNPs takes advantage of the capacity of hematite to reduce Au 3+ photochemically under excitation by a sunlight simulator. The yield of AuNPs covering the microtube surface is dependent on the gold salt concentration used for the synthesis. The AuNP‐decorated hematite surfaces of the microtube and foil are functionalized with thiol poly(ethylene glycol) fluorescein, exhibiting increase in conductivity favored by irradiation with visible light. AuNPs also favor cell adherence and proliferation with the maintenance of mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Therefore, the hematite surface of the microtubes decorated with AuNPs is a promising material for the application in micro‐/nanorobots and bioelectronics.