Creation of Hydrophilic Nickel Ferrite Nanoparticles in the Polysaccharide Matrix With Optical and Paramagnetic Properties

ABSTRACT

A new strategy for the preparation of biocompatible, long‐term stable ferrite nanoparticles is proposed. A series of nickel ferrite nanoparticles with variable compositions is synthesized by condensation in the presence of an arabinogalactan polysaccharide matrix. The obtained materials combine magnetic and optical functionalities. X ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy are used to study the effect of nickel content on the structural, optical, and paramagnetic properties of the nanosized ferrites. The optical band gap energy is calculated from UV–Vis absorption spectra. It has been shown that varying the composition of the nanocrystals changes their magnetic parameters. A temperature dependence of the interaction of nanoscale nickel ferrite in a polymer matrix with a magnetic field has been revealed. Variation of the EPR parameters upon heating, particularly for ferrites with less pronounced nickel deficiency, indicates the role of nickel ions in altering the paramagnetic characteristics. The results provide an effective route to biocompatible nanomaterials capable of specific magnetic field interaction for biomedical applications.