Mussel-inspired bolaamphiphile sticky self-assemblies for the preparation of magnetic nanoparticles.

Adopting the strong metal binding moiety of a mussel protein, a novel bolaamphiphile molecule was prepared and applied to the fabrication of magnetic core-shell nanoparticles. The novel bolaamphiphile molecule with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) end groups was synthesized and its self-assembly was used as a template to adsorb metal ions and subsequently to produce magnetic nanoparticles. The DOPA bolaamphiphile molecule self-assembled in aqueous solution to produce nanospherical structures that exposed the catechol moiety of DOPA to the outer surface. The catechol groups adsorbed cobalt and iron ions to create magnetic metal oxide clusters on the self-assembly. Spectroscopic analysis showed that the cobalt and iron ions were coordinated with quinone, an oxidized form of the catechol. Exploiting the strong metal-adsorbing and binding properties of DOPA, dense cobalt oxide and iron oxide shell layers were created on the nanospherical self-assembly to produce magnetic core-shell nanoparticles. This study demonstrated a simple method for creating magnetic metal oxide nanoparticles that exploits the molecular binding forces and self-assembly property of DOPA.