Magnetic core–bilayer shell complex of magnetite nanoparticle stabilized with mPEG–polyester amphiphilic block copolymer

In this article, we report the synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) coated with methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG)–polyester amphiphilic block copolymers. The coating polymer layer contains a hydrophobic inner layer of polyester and a hydrophilic corona of mPEG. The copolymers were first prepared via a direct condensation between diacid, diol compounds and mPEG oligomer to obtain a hydrophobic polyester block and hydrophilic mPEG block and then “grafted onto” a magnetite nanoparticle surface. The copolymer composition was varied by changing the structure of the diacid, diol, and the molecular weight ( $$ \overline{M}_n $$ ) of the mPEG such that particles with good dispersibility and stability in water were obtained. It was found that the copolymer prepared from 1,6-hexanediol can effectively stabilize the particles in water regardless of the types of diacid and $$ \overline{M}_n $$ of mPEG used. The particle size was approximately 10 nm in diameter, and the particle dispersibility in water was quite dependent on the type and concentration of the copolymer used. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed the presence of less than 37 % Fe3O4 and about 48–53 % of the copolymer in the complexes. The percent entrapment efficiency and loading efficiency of indomethacin model drug in the copolymer-coated magnetite nanoparticles were 19 and 77 %, respectively.