Surface modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a protein delivery vehicle

We report a one-step synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated with PEG. The formation of the Fe3O4 core and the polymer coating took place simultaneously. Furthermore, these nanoparticles were modified with 3-APTES, providing a -NH2 functional group, and applied in the immobilization of lysozyme. In this paper, the modified magnetic nanoparticles acting as a general agent to immobilize proteins are around 10 nm in size. The protein immobilization can be adjusted flexibly by changing either the amount of glutaraldehyde or the buffer solution.