ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on a particular type of magnetic nanoparticles, the carbon-coated iron nanoparticles, and gives an overview of the interdisciplinary research. One of the important issues when working with nanoparticles in all those in vitro and in vivo applications that involve the interaction of the nanoparticles with cells and tissues is the necessary biocompatibility of the material. A detailed morphological and structural characterization was performed by Transmission Electron Microscopy. Most applications of nanoparticles require their use in suspension which, for in vivo applications, has to be biocompatible. Phagocytosis is a major limitation in any in vivo application based on the intravenous delivery of nanoparticles. The chapter also focuses on the relevance of the carbon-coated functional magnetic nanostructures and, in particular, presents a broad description of the role that the carbon encapsulation plays in the functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles.