A new method for the synthesis of magnetoliposomes

A new method for the synthesis of magnetoliposomes, i.e., nanosized magnetic particles coated by a phospholipid membrane, is presented. Magnetoliposomes are prepared by directly using the phospholipid vesicles as nanoreactors for the precipitation of the magnetic particles. The magnetoliposomes have been characterized using transmission electron microscopy imaging and x-ray powder diffraction. The magnetic properties of the magnetoliposomes have been investigated with a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer. Our results indicate that the magnetoliposomes contain approximately spherical maghemite nanoparticles averaging 25 nm in diameter. The occurrence of a phospholipid bilayer surrounding the magnetic particles is confirmed both by transmission electron micrographs of samples negatively stained with uranyl acetate and by digital fluorescence imaging microscopy measurements of magnetoliposomes labeled with fluorescein. The temperature dependence of the zero field cooled and field cooled susceptibilities of the magnetoliposomes is consistent with their expected superparamagnetic nature.