Synthesis of Nickel Nanodisks and Their Application in the Modification of Polyelectrolyte Microcapsule Shells

Abstract

Magnetic nickel nanoparticles, especially anisotropically shaped ones, are increasingly attracting the attention of researchers in the field of biomedicine. In this study, we have synthesized magnetic nickel nanodisks to modify shells of polyelectrolyte capsules for further design of new theranostics agents based on this nanocomposite system. The method of alternating electrodeposition of metals in pores of a polymer track membrane was used to obtain nickel nanoparticles shaped as nanodisks. Nanowires with alternating copper and nickel layers were synthesized, and nickel nanodisks were obtained by selective etching of copper. The nanodisk magnetic properties were investigated by vibrational magnetometry of a nanowire array in a polymer matrix. Isolated disks were studied by methods of dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering. A possibility of incorporating nickel nanodisks into shells of polyelectrolyte capsules by their adsorption on a polycation layer with subsequent deposition of a polyanion is demonstrated.