Maghemite Nanoparticles for DNA Extraction: Performance and Blocking Temperature

Iron oxide nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol were synthesized by coprecipitation for use in the magnetic separation of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). The blocking temperature of nanoparticles was studied by the methods of Mössbauer spectroscopy, ferromagnetic resonance, and using magnetometric measurements. The blocking temperature calculated from the temperature dependence of the coercive force was ~ 200 K. The calculation of the blocking temperature from the relaxation time obtained using Mössbauer spectroscopy gave a value of ~ 450 K. The blocking temperature obtained using ferromagnetic resonance was ~ 910 K. The relationship between the obtained blocking temperatures is in good agreement with the Néel-Brown formula. The constants of effective and surface anisotropy were determined by the method of ferromagnetic resonance. Isolation of DNA from blood using prepared particles and separation in a permanent magnet field revealed sufficient productivity, high speed, and the “chemical delicacy” of this approach.