Ultrafine Highly Magnetic Fluorescent γ-Fe 2 O 3 /NCD Nanocomposites for Neuronal Manipulations.

In this work, we describe a low-cost, two-step synthesis of composites of nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCDs) with γ-Fe2 O3 (NCDs/γ-Fe2 O3 ), which is based on a hydrothermal cum co-precipitation method. The product is a fine powder of particles having an average diameter of 9 ± 3 nm. The physical and chemical properties of NCDs/γ-Fe2 O3 were studied, as well as the superconducting quantum interference device and Mossbauer analysis of the magnetic properties of these nanocomposites. The interaction of NCDs/γ-Fe2 O3 nanocomposites with neuron-like cells was examined, showing efficient uptake and low toxicity. Our research demonstrates the use of the nanocomposites for imaging and for controlling the cellular motility. The NCDs/γ-Fe2 O3 nanocomposites are promising because of their biocompatibility, photostability, and potential selective affinity, paving the way for multifunctional biomedical applications.