Novel core-shell magnetic nanogels synthesized in an emulsion-free aqueous system under UV irradiation for targeted radiopharmaceutical applications

Novel core-shell poly(acrylamide) magnetic nanogels with controllable particle size produced via a photochemical method in an emulsion-free aqueous system at room temperature have been developed for the first time. After Hoffmann elimination of carbonyl, nanogels with amino groups, or poly(acrylamide-vinyl amine) magnetic nanogels, were also obtained. Particle size, size distributions and zeta potential of the magnetic nanogels before and after Hoffmann elimination were measured by photo-correlation spectroscopy (PCS). The structure and morphology of the magnetic nanogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The higher dispersibility and stability of the magnetic nanogels suggest promising potential applications in targeted radiopharmaceuticals carriers for cancer therapy, and in biological and medical studies as well.