Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) often require surface modification to improve their dispersion in other materials for biomedical applications. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a low-cost, water-soluble polymer that has been reported to be biocompatible and biodegradable. In this study, we investigated the properties of MNPs coated with different weight percentages of PVA (i.e., 0%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) in a one-pot synthesis, to determine the ideal weight percentage of PVA needed to achieve the best dispersion of MNPs in a model polymer matrix such as poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS). The results showed that PVA was successfully coated onto the surface of MNPs, and all the MNPs with 0 to 30% nominal PVA exhibited spherical shape and similar crystallinity and superparamagnetism. The average diameter of PVA-coated MNPs was 8 ± 2 nm for 0, 3, 5, and 10% PVA-coated groups, but was slightly smaller for 20% and 30% groups with a respective diameter of 7 ± 2 nm and 6 ± 2 nm. The X-ray diffraction also confirmed that the particle sizes for 20% and 30% groups were slightly smaller than those of the other groups. When the MNPs were dispersed in the same PGS matrix and the weight percentages of PVA coating increased, less agglomerates of MNPs were observed and greater optical transmittance was achieved, indicating better dispersion. Overall, 30 wt.% of PVA coating used in MNP synthesis improved homogeneous dispersion of MNPs in a polymer matrix and reduced agglomeration. The effects of PVA content on the synthesized MNPs and the dispersion of MNPs reported in this study could be valuable for different applications when homogeneous dispersion of MNPs in a polymer matrix is desired.

Graphical abstract

磁性纳米粒子（MNP）通常需要进行表面修饰，以改善其在生物医学应用中的其他材料中的分散性。聚乙烯醇（PVA）是一种低成本的水溶性聚合物，据报道具有生物相容性和生物可降解性。在这项研究中，我们调查了一锅合成中涂有不同重量百分比的PVA（即0％，3％，5％，10％，20％和30％）的MNP的性能，以确定理想的要在模型聚合物基质（例如癸二酸甘油酯（PGS））中实现MNP的最佳分散所需的PVA重量百分比。结果表明，PVA成功地涂覆在MNPs的表面，并且所有标称PVA为0至30％的MNPs均呈球形，并且具有相似的结晶度和超顺磁性。对于0、3、5，涂有PVA的MNP的平均直径为8±2 nm 和10％的PVA涂层组，但直径分别为7±2 nm和6±2 nm的20％和30％组略小。X射线衍射还证实了20％和30％组的粒度略小于其他组。当将MNP分散在相同的PGS基质中并且PVA涂层的重量百分比增加时，观察到的MNP团聚较少，并且获得了更高的透光率，表明分散性更好。总体而言，用于MNP合成的30重量％的PVA涂层改善了MNP在聚合物基质中的均匀分散并减少了附聚。当需要将MNP均匀分散在聚合物基质中时，本研究中报道的PVA含量对合成MNP和MNP分散的影响可能对不同的应用有价值。但对于直径分别为7±2 nm和6±2 nm的20％和30％组略小。X射线衍射还证实了20％和30％组的粒度略小于其他组。当将MNP分散在相同的PGS基质中并且PVA涂层的重量百分比增加时，观察到的MNP团聚较少，并且获得了更高的透光率，表明分散性更好。总体而言，用于MNP合成的30重量％的PVA涂层改善了MNP在聚合物基质中的均匀分散并减少了附聚。当需要将MNP均匀分散在聚合物基质中时，本研究中报道的PVA含量对合成MNP和MNP分散的影响可能对不同的应用有价值。但对于直径分别为7±2 nm和6±2 nm的20％和30％组略小。X射线衍射还证实了20％和30％组的粒度略小于其他组。当将MNP分散在相同的PGS基质中并且PVA涂层的重量百分比增加时，观察到的MNP团聚较少，并且获得了更高的透光率，表明分散性更好。总体上，用于MNP合成的30重量％的PVA涂层改善了MNP在聚合物基质中的均匀分散并减少了附聚。当需要将MNP均匀分散在聚合物基质中时，本研究中报道的PVA含量对合成MNP和MNP分散的影响可能对不同的应用有价值。

图形概要