Fabrication of SiO2-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles for Applications to Protein Separation and Purification

Abstract

Coating of -Fe2O3 nanoparticles with SiO2 layer by wet chemical synthesis and its applications to protein separation and purification were investigated. The average particle size of -Fe2O3 core was 20 nm and SiO2 layer thickness was 5 nm. The band of OH- radicals on SiO2 layer was detected between 3600 and 3200 cm-1 in wave numbers, which showed that the surface property of coated nanoparticles was similar to that of conventional fumed silica. Finally, the feasibility of -Fe2O3/SiO2 nanoparticles for magnetic separation media in various bio processes was discussed in terms of structural and functional properties such as pore structure and magnetic properties.