Superparamagnetic nanocomposites based on surface imprinting for biomacromolecular recognition.

A combination strategy of moderate self-polymerization and assembly technique was proposed to fabricate superparamagnetic surface imprinted nanocomposites (SSINs) for efficient protein recognition. Homogeneous Fe3O4/Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/Poly (dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) (PDOPA) SSINs were obtained via self-polymerization of DOPA on the surface of Fe3O4/PMMA nanospheres in the presence of lysozyme (Lyz) as a template. The Lyz-imprinted Fe3O4/PMMA/PDOPA SSINs possessed average diameters of 200nm, high magnetic content, high saturation magnetization, as well as excellent specific recognition capacity toward Lyz template, exhibiting their great potential for biomacromolecular recognition.