The research suggests that Fe3O4@PLA-PEG and Fe3O4@PLA-PEG/Cur nanosystems exhibit properties of great potential for biomedical applications, both for diagnosis and treatment purposes. | Journal of Science and Technology 54 (1A) (2016) 268-276 STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF Fe3O4 NANOPARTICLES COATED BY PLA-PEG COPOLYMER WITH AND WITHOUT LOADING OF CURCUMIN Phan Quoc Thong1, 2, *, Ha Phuong Thu1, Le Thi Thu Huong3, Luu Huu Nguyen2 Nguyen Xuan Phuc1 1 Institute of Materials Science, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Ha Noi, Viet Nam 2 Khanh Hoa University, Khanh Hoa, 01 Nguyen Chanh, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Viet Nam 3 Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Ha Noi, Viet Nam * Email: phankh4@ Received: 31 August 2015; Accept for publication: 25 October 2015 ABSTRACT Nanoparticles (NPs) of poly(lactide)-polyethylene glycol (PLA-PEG) with PLA:PEG (3:1, w/w) component ratio was prepared by ring opening polymerization of Lactide for preparation of Fe3O4@PLA-PEG and Fe3O4@PLA-PEG/Cur nanosystem. The Cur (curcumin) loaded Fe3O4 could be used as multi-functional nano drugs beneficiating both the image contrast enhancement and locally controlled heating. The size, shape, surface bonding of Fe3O4@PLA-PEG, Fe3O4@PLA-PEG/Cur nanosystems were determined by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Thermal Gravity Analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR); while magnetic characteristics by Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). The research suggests that Fe3O4@PLA-PEG and Fe3O4@PLA-PEG/Cur nanosystems exhibit properties of great potential for biomedical applications, both for diagnosis and treatment purposes. Keywords: PLA-PEG copolymer, Fe3O4 nanoparticles, Fe3O4@PLA-PEG, Fe3O4@PLAPEG/Cur. 1. INTRODUCTION Magnetic nanoparticles play an important role for biomedical applications such as: target drug delivery [1 - 3], contrast enhancement in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) [4 - 5] or cancer hyperthermia [5]. Surface functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles is necessary in order to improve dispersion and some biochemical characteristics [6]. While organic .
