Novel magnetic-fluorescent CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS (core/shell) nanoparticles: Preparation, characterization and damage to bovine serum albumin under UV irradiation

Novel magnetic-fluorescent nanoparticles (CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS) combined ZnS:Mn/ZnS semiconductor nanoparticles and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles with chitosan (CS) matrix were prepared and characterized. Characterization results indicate that CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS (core/shell) nanoparticles show superparamagnetic and strong fluorescent properties. Introduction of ZnS shell significantly enhances the photoluminescence intensity by 3.5 times. The saturation magnetization of CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS nanoparticles was 14.85 emu g−1 at room temperature. The interaction and damage of CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS to bovine serum albumin (BSA) under UV irradiation was investigated by ultraviolet–visible and fluorescence spectra. The results show that electrostatic interaction is the major force for the binding processes of BSA to the surface of CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS. The damage of BSA is prone to happen in the presence of CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS under UV irradiation. CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn/ZnS may be potential candidate for application as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy, and fluorescence imaging and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents for theranostics of cancer.