Well-water-dispersed N-trimethyl chitosan/FeO hybrid nanoparticles as peroxidase mimetics for quick and effective elimination of bacteria.

FeO nanoparticles, used as peroxidase mimetics, exhibit splendid future in the biomedical field. However, the functionalization on FeO nanoparticles always goes with the loss of superparamagnetism and decrease in peroxidase-activity. Here, we synthesized green polyethylene glycol (PEG)-functionalized magnetic/N-trimethyl chitosan (CS) hybrid nanoparticles (FeO@PAA/TMC/PEG NPs) with improved water dispersibility, superparamagnetism, high saturation magnetization and well peroxidase-like activity. The functionalized coating was divided in two steps, one involved a cross-linked PEG/PAA/CS middle layer to protect the nanocrystal FeO from oxidization, the other was a hydrophilic PEG/TMC outer layer improving the water dispersion, biocompatibility, as well as supplying positive quaternary ammonium groups for a potential increase of cell binding efficiency. The structure, composition and morphology of FeO@PAA/TMC/PEG NPs were characterized by TEM, FT-IR spectroscopy, DLS, zeta potential measurement, respectively. Thermal performance was characterized by TGA, and the peroxidase-like mimics activity was tested by TMB·2HCl colour development experiments. The magnetic property of the as-prepared hybrid nanoparticles was first confirmed by VSM, and then proved by the bacterial pathogens adsorption, especially at ultralow pathogen concentration. Particularly, with an external magnet, the FeO@PAA/TMC/PEG NPs, combined cationic quaternary ammonium groups and peroxidise-mimetic catalytic activity, were tested for antibacterial effect by plating method.