Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
We report the synthesis of water soluble, monodisperse Fe/Au bimetallic nanoparticles with an average diameter of 7nm. Synthesis involves simultaneous reduction of Fe3+ and Au3+ in water to yield bimetallic nanoparticles. The elemental content of Fe is 1.5%. Nanoparticles exhibit ferromagnetic behavior as measured by SQUID. These particles can be easily conjugated to thiolated DNA, as evidenced by mobility shifts in agarose gel electrophoresis. Nanoparticles heat in solution to temperatures above 40°C, indicating suitability for hyperthermia.