ABSTRACT
Objective: To achieve multiple target fishing hook by efficiently grafting polymers containing benzophenone (BP) groups and photochemically coupling molecules in medicines onto magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Methods: MNPs attached carbonyl groups (Fe3O4-COOH) were prepared through a hydrothermal process. Then they were modified with DMSA, forming MNPs with thiol groups (Fe3O4-SH). Fe3O4-SH nanoparticles were grafted with polymer containing BP groups by surface-initiated condensation polymerization. Effects of monomer feed ratios and contents on the amounts of BP groups were investigated. The molecules in medicines were covalently coupled onto MNPs via photochemical reactions of BP groups. The contents of coupled molecules were determined by FT-IR and UV-Vis spectra analyses. Results: MNPs with average size of 100 nm were produced, modified with DMSA, and decorated by grafting polymer containing photosensitive BP groups. When the content of monomer containing BP groups was increased in grafting polymerizations, more BP groups were incorporated onto MNPs. This was conductive to the subsequent photo- coupling. FT-IR and UV-Vis spectra analyses confirmed the coupling of molecules in medicines. The active H and steric hinderance of the molecules affected their coupling. Conclusion: The resultant magnetic target fishing hook is ready as a probe for targets identification of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).