Synthesis, characterization, and applications of peptide nanotube modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Nanomedicine has seen significant interest in the medical and healthcare field in recent years, with research in this area advancing rapidly. It stands at the forefront of medical research and holds the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of diseases through its applications. This thesis focuses on the synthesis and characterization of biocompatible superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for use in nanomedicine as drug carriers and as contrast enhancers in magnetic resonance imaging. The thesis comprehensively addresses the synthesis, characterization, and nanomedical applications of peptide nanotube (PNT) modified SPIONs. In the initial phase of the study, γ-Fe2O3-PEG was synthesized using Fe(acac)3 in a polymer medium to compose superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Subsequently, these nanoparticles were functionalized with Leu-Gly dipeptide using a self-assembly technique to improve interactions with biological systems and to target specific biological sites (γ-Fe2O3-PEG-Leu-Gly). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using FTIR and TEM, providing comprehensive and detailed insights into critical properties such as shape, size, and surface chemistry of the functionalized SPION nanomaterials. These results are of great significance in understanding the characteristics of nanomaterials and guiding further research in this field. Additionally, the activities of these nanoparticles, including DPPH radical scavenging, DNA cleavage, antimicrobial, microbial cell viability inhibition, and biofilm inhibition, were investigated, and the results were discussed.