Drug-carrying magnetic nanocomposite spheres were synthesized using Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles and poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA) for the purpose of magnetic targeted drug delivery. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) (~10 nm) were prepared by a chemical co-precipitation of Sulphate salts in the presence of sodium hydroxide. Oil-in-oil emulsion/solvent evaporation technique was conducted at 7000 rpm and 1.5-2 hrs agitation for the synthesis of nanocomposite spheres. Specifically, PLGA and the cancer drug 5-Fluorouracil were first dissolved in Acetonitrile (oily phase I) and combined with MNP. The drug, MNPs and polymer solution was added drop-wise into viscous paraffin oil combined with Span 80 (oily phase II). 10%, 15% and 20% of MNP in the nanocomposite spheres were evaluated in terms of particle size, morphology and magnetic properties using X-ray and SQUID, Fluid flow and Biological trials were carried out to determine their effectiveness in targeted drug delivery.

Paper presented to the 5th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, Wichita State University, May 1, 2009.Research completed at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering