Figure 1.

(A) TEM micrographs and size distributions (inset) of 14 nm γ-Fe₂O₃ cores (MNP uncoated); (B) X-ray diffraction pattern of MNP uncoated prepared by coprecipitation; (hkl) indices corresponding to a maghemite phase are included for peak identification; (C) Hydrodynamic size distribution of MNP uncoated and after dextran coating (MNP); (D) Magnetization curves at room temperature of MNP uncoated and MNP; (E) Thermogravimetric analyses of MNP uncoated, MNP, and MNP-GEM; (F) General scheme of functionalization of MNP with GEM (MNP-GEM) via disulfide bonds; (G) UV spectra of GEM immobilization. The absorbance at λ₃₄₃ corresponds to the 2-pyridinethione released during the functionalization of MNP-GEM.