Abstract
Core-shell nanostructures have attracted considerable interest as a new class of nanomaterials due to the fascinating physical and chemical characteristics. Herein, a facial and low-cost approach was reported for the synthesis of gold@iron oxide core-shell nanoparticles. By using the citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles as seeds, the gold@iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared via an electroxidation of iron nail at 1.0 V between the electrodes in aqueous solution. Modulating with the parameters such as pH values, buffers and reaction time make the iron shell thickness to be well controlled. The optimized shell thickness was further utilized with gold narnoparticles for the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect by Raman spectrometry application. Most importantly, gold@iron oxide nanoparticles turn superparamagnetic after annealing at 350℃ for six hours under nitrogen environment. The enhanced magnetic properties of the resulting core-shell nanoparticles show their future potential in magnetic resonance imaging as well as targeted delivery through magnetofection.