Evaluation of the formation of the hybrid NiFe₂O₄@SiO₂ and its performance in the immobilization of GOX

ABSTRACT

Recent technological advances in the synthesis and design of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have opened up a slew of ways for the use of these materials in medical and pharmaceutical applications, such as biosensors, drug carriers, destruction of tumor cells, and magnetic separation of cells and proteins. In view of this, we propose to obtain the hybrid NiFe₂O₄@SiO₂ from the surface modification of the nickel ferrite with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, aiming to evaluate its formation by its structural, morphological and magnetic properties, in order to test it for its performance in the immobilization of the glucose oxidase (GOx). The samples were analyzed through XRD, FTIR, SEM, BET/BJH, magnetic measurements and tested in the GOx immobilization. The results showed the single phase formation of the spinel NiFe₂O₄ with crystallite size of 35 and 32 nm for the samples before and after surface modification and the presence of characteristic absorption bands for the spinel and the silanol group of the silane agent, confirming the formation of the hybrid. The surface modification improved the surface area and the magnetic behavior of the NPMs. The presence of the silane agent does not contribute for the GOx immobilization.

Keywords:
Nickel ferrite; magnetic nanoparticles; silane agent; immobilization; biomaterial