Fabrication of MnFe2O4–CuInS2/ZnS magnetofluorescent nanocomposites and their characterization

Magnetofluorescent nanocomposites (MFNCs) providing a single nanoscale platform with multimodal properties are gaining momentum in biological manipulation, biomedical imaging and therapies. In this work, we report the preparation of MFNCs integrating MnFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) and poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PEG-PLGA) in a tetrahydrofuran (THF)/water solvent system. Through sonication and quick solvent displacement, multiple nanoparticles of each type are co-encapsulated within the hydrophobic core of PEG-PLGA micelles. The developed fabrication process is simple and fast. Moreover, due to the low toxicity of CuInS2/ZnS QDs, the fabrication process is environmentally benign. The fabricated MFNCs were further characterized regarding their fundamental physical, chemical and biological properties. Results reveal that the MFNCs possess high (Mn + Fe) recovery rates, and the optical properties and magnetic relaxivity of the MFNCs are sensitive to the MNP:QD mass ratios in the fabrication. Furthermore, the MFNCs present excellent stability in aqueous solutions, minimal cytotoxicity, and capability for bioconjugation. This study opens an avenue for the MFNCs to be employed in broad biological or biomedical applications.