In-situ bio-compatible iron-based nanoparticle fabrication with ultra-short laser pulses

In-situ fabrication of (magnetic) iron based nanoparticles is demonstrated using ultrashort laser pulses ablation in liquid medium. Using this in-situ method, thermal effects associated with other similar methods are avoided because of pulse duration much beyond 1 ps, avoiding thermal processes as well as chemical contamination and clustering issues during particle fabrication or transfer steps. Size distribution proved to be dependent on laser beam pulse duration and energy, while their surface (zeta-)potential did not. Monitoring of the cellular viability in the presence of the produced nanoparticles showed an excellent bio-compatibility but with rather limited drug loading capabilities in the absence of any surface functionalization.