Biphasic (Janus), Core–Shell and Functionalized Magnetic Polymer Particles: A Route of Synthesis to Application

Abstract

A brief report on simple way of magnetic particle (MP) development and their use as efficient solid support for the extraction of nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) is presented here. Magnetic polystyrene (PSt) particles varying the amount of divinylbenzene (DVB) have been prepared first by seeded polymerization in the presence of oil-in-water (o/w) magnetic emulsion. Thereafter, DVB cross-linked core-shell magnetic polystyrene particles were turned into poly (N-isopropylacrylamide), P(NIPAAm) based thermally responsive magnetic particles using three different kinds of functional monomer including aminoethylmethacrylate (AEM), vinylphenylboronic acid (VPBA), acrylic acid (AA). Moreover, aminophenylboronic acid (APBA) was grafted onto thermally responsive MP/PNIPAAm/AA responsive magnetic particles. The hydrodynamic diameter changes by tuning environmental stimuli such as temperature, pH, glucose, etc., inferring smart property of magnetic polymer particle. Further investigation for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) adsorption and release study revealed that amine or boronic acid group containing magnetic polymer particles are more promising. Particularly, RNA adsorption is strongly occurred than that of DNA onto boronic acid magnetic polymer particles due to the opportunity of boronate ester formation with cis-diol of RNA. This report will provide an interesting idea on the preparation of magnetic polymer particles with different morphology and their use in nucleic acid separation.