Partículas poliméricas com propriedades magnéticas podem ser utilizadas tanto em aplicações terapêuticas in vivo, como agentes de liberação controlada de princípios ativos, ex vivo, na extração de células cancerígenas do organismo, ou ainda in vitro, em diagnósticos. A necessidade de materiais inteligentes e biocompatíveis, como agentes de encapsulação destas partículas magnéticas, leva ao uso de polímeros sensíveis a estímulos. Em aplicações terapêuticas, esta tecnologia é baseada na localização das partículas através da aplicação de um campo magnético e na concentração da droga na área de interesse. Esta etapa é seguida pela liberação da droga, utilizando-se as propriedades sensíveis dos polímeros. Dessa forma, este trabalho de tese se dedica ao estudo da obtenção de nanopartículas constituídas de uma matriz polimérica sensível a estímulos e de partículas de óxido de ferro (?-Fe2O3 e Fe3O4). Inicialmente, nanogéis à base de poli(NVCL-co-AA) foram obtidos através do método de polimerização por precipitação. A Poli(Nvinilcaprolactama) (PNVCL) é um polímero termo-sensível, que possui temperatura crítica inferior de solubilização (LCST) próxima à temperatura fisiológica (35-38 ºC) e é conhecida, ainda, por possuir maior biocompatibilidade, em comparação a outros polímeros do gênero. O poli(ácido acrílico) (PAA), por sua vez, é um polímero que apresenta sensibilidade ao pH. Nesta etapa estudou-se a influência de alguns parâmetros de síntese nos diâmetros de partículas, na polidispersidade e na sensibilidade à temperatura dos nanogéis. A sensibilidade ao pH também foi estudada em função da concentração de ácido acrílico adicionado nas sínteses. Em seguida, realizou-se o estudo da encapsulação de nanopartículas magnéticas complexadas com dextrana em nanogéis de PNVCL, utilizando-se a técnica de polimerização em miniemulsão inversa. Os nanogéis magnéticos sensíveis à temperatura foram caracterizados quanto ao diâmetro de partículas (DP) e distribuição do diâmetro de partículas (DDP), pela técnica de espalhamento de luz. A sensibilidade à temperatura dos nanogéis magnéticos também foi estudada por espalhamento de luz, através de medidas de diâmetro de partículas em diferentes temperaturas. As medidas de magnetização foram obtidas em um magnetômetro de amostra vibrante (MAV). Análises de infra vermelho (FTIR) e de difratometria de raios X revelaram qualitativamente a encapsulação das nanopartículas magnéticas. A eficiência de incorporação das nanopartículas de óxido de ferro foi estudada através de análises termogravimétricas (TGA) e medidas de magnetização. As características morfológicas dos nanogéis magnéticos foram observadas por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM). / Polymeric particles with magnetic properties can be useful for in vivo therapeutic applications, as agents for controlled drug release, for ex vivo applications, as agents for the extraction of cancer cells, and finally, for the diagnosis in vitro. The search for biocompatible and smart materials as agents for the encapsulation of magnetic particles, leads to the use of stmuli-responsive polymers. In therapeutic applications, this technology is based on the localization and the concentration of the particles containing the drug in the area of interest by applying a magnetic field. This step is followed by the release of the drug, using the sensitive properties of the polymers. In this context, this thesis is devoted to the preparation of nanoparticles constituted by a stimuli-responsive polymer matrix and particles of iron oxide (?-Fe2O3 e Fe3O4). First of all, we performed the synthesis of poly(NVCL-co-AA)-based nanogels using the precipitation polymerization method. Poly(N-vinilcaprolactama) (PNVCL) is a thermo-responsive polymer which presents the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) near the physiological temperature (35-38 °C) and it is well known by its greater biocompatibility, in comparison with other themallysensitive polymers. On the other hand, the poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) is known by its sensibility to changes in the enviromental pH. In this stage, the influence of some synthesis parameters on the particles diameter, polydispersity and themally-sensitive behavior of the nanogels was evaluated. The pH-sensibility behavior was also studied as a function of the AA concentration in the synthesis. As a second step, the study of the incorporation of dextran-coated magnetic nanoparticles in the PNVCL-based nanogels using the inverse miniemulsion polymerization was preformed. The thermo-responsive magnetic nanogels were characterized in terms of particles diameter (PD) and particles size distribution (PSD) using light scattering. The temperature sensitivity of the magnetic nanogels was also studied by light scattering, with measurements of particles diameter as a function of temperature. The magnetization measurements were obtained on a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Analysis of infra-red (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction revealed qualitatively the incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles. The incorporation efficiency of iron oxide nanoparticles was studied by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and magnetic measurements. The morphological characteristics of the magnetic nanogels were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Les dispositifs magnéto-optiques (MO) sont les éléments de base des isolateurs optiques, éléments essentiels pour les lasers et LIDAR. Ils sont également utilisés pour l'imagerie, le stockage ou les capteurs. Une structuration périodique du matériau magnétique est un moyen pour en améliorer les performances, et ainsi réduire la taille des composants intégrés ou améliorés la sensibilité des capteurs associés. Cependant, la mise en œuvre des matériaux magnéto-optiques habituels au sein des platefo1mes d'optique intégrée est rendue difficile par la forte température de cristallisation (- 7000C) qu'ils requièrent. En utilisant un processus sol-gel basse température, une matrice de silice peut être dopée par des nanoparticules magnétiques (C0Fe204) pour produire un matériau qui présente une excellente compatibilité avec les substrats photoniques. Dans ce travail, ce matériau composite a été utilisé pour imprégner un réseau grâce à un dépôt en une seule étape à une température inférieure à 100 °C. Il s'agit d'un réseau lD ShN4 sur verre. Des simulations numériques, basées sur les méthodes RCW A, et réalisées à 1,55 µm ont permis de déterminer les paramètres adéquats pour obtenir un réseau résonnant, simultanément pour les polarisations TE et TM, à incidence normale. Les simulations MO ont démontré que ce type de structure permet d'obtenir l'exaltation de tous les effets magnéto-optiques classiques (Kerr et Faraday). Le facteur de mérite théorique obtenu est comparable voir supérieur à ceux rapportés dans la littérature qui utilisent des matériaux MO classiques. Ces améliorations ont été confirmées par des réalisations et caractérisations expérimentales. Par exemple, une augmentation de la rotation de Faraday d'un facteur 3,5 a été obtenue par rapport à un film mince de référence. Le facteur de mérite correspondant était comparable voir supérieur à ceux présentés dans la littérature prouvant la grande efficacité de notre structure. Les résultats de ce travail sont la première démonstration d'une augmentation de tous les effets MO avec un seul dispositif / Magneto-optical (MO) devices are the basic elements of optical isolators essential for lasers an1 LIDAR, and are also employed for aircraft imaging, data storage or sensing. A periodic structuration of the core magnetic material is a way to enhance its MO behavior, and is thus useful to reduce the footprint of integrated devices or to improve the sensitivity of related sensors. However, the processing of efficient magnetic materials on photonic platforms is still challenging, because classical MO materials require an annealing temperature as high as 700°C. Using a sol-gel process, a silica matrix can be doped by magnetic nanoparticles (C0Fe204) to produce a MO material which possess a full compatibility with photonic substrates. In this work, this composite material was incorporated into an already structured template through a single step deposition at low temperature. The template was a 1-D SiJN4 grating on glass. Numerical simulations, based on RCW A methods, have been carried out to identify the suitable values of the grating period and the line-space ratio which produce a guided-mode resonance at 1.55 µm simultaneously for TE and TM polarizations, at normal incidence. MO simulations demonstrated that an enhancement of magneto-optical effects is obtained in transmission or reflection for every orientation of the applied magnetic field (Kerr or Faraday effects). The theoretical figure of merit for these structures were comparable or higher than those reported in literature which use classical MO materials. These enhancements were confirmed by experimental realizations and measurements. For instance, a Faraday rotation enhancement of 3.5 times was demonstrated compared to the reference thin-film. The c01Tesponding figure of merit was comparable or higher than those reported in literature proving the high efficiency of our structure. The results of this work are the 1st demonstration of an enhancement of every MO effect with a single device

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been widely studied for a variety of applications, from biomedical applications (e.g., cell separation, drug delivery, contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging and magnetically mediated energy delivery for cancer treatment) to environmental remediations (e.g., heavy metal removal and organic pollutants degradation). It has been demonstrated that IONPs can induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via Fenton/Haber-Weiss reactions which has been shown to be one of the key underlying mechanisms of nanoparticles toxicity. This inherent toxicity of nanoparticles has been shown to enhance the efficacy of traditional cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation. In addition, the generation of ROS induced by IONPs has been also studied as advanced oxidation processes (AOP) for wastewater treatment. Recent research has also shown that exposure to an alternating magnetic field can significantly enhance the generation of ROS induced by IONPs. Moreover, the coatings of IONPs play an important role on the surface reactivity of nanoparticles since it can prevent the generation of ROS via Fenton chemistries at the surface of the nanoparticles. In this work, co-precipitated IONPs were functionalized with small molecules including citric acid, sodium phosphate, amino silane and dopamine. The impact of coating on surface reactivity of the as-synthesized particles was studied using methylene blue dye degradation assay under AMF exposure. With the coatings of these small molecules, the IONPs induced ROS generation was significantly decreased because of the dense surface coverage. To study the effect of polymeric coatings, a degradable poly (beta amino ester) (PBAE) polymer coating was synthesized with dopamine as an anchor to bind to nanoparticles. The surface reactivity of the particles was expected to be recovered once the polymer coating was degraded. Furthermore, the impact of non-degradable PEG-based polymer coating on surface reactivity via ROS generation was also investigated using methylene blue decolorization assay with the presence of AMF. The retention of surface reactivity of PEG-based polymer coated IONPs shows promise for cancer treatment. The application of IONPs as heterogeneous catalyst for organic contaminant degradation was investigated. Bisphenol A (BPA) was used as a model compound, and Fenton reactions were induced by IONPs with the presence of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxylamine as well as alternating magnetic field exposure. The kinetics of BPA degradation under water bath and AMF exposure at 37oC was also studied, and the results showed potential applications of IONPs for organic pollutants remediation.

Iron oxide nanoparticles are of great interest as contrast agents for research and potentially clinical molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Biochemically modifying the surface coatings of the particles with proteins and polysaccharides enhances their utility by improving cell receptor specificity, increasing uptake for cell labeling and adding therapeutic molecules. Together with the high contrast they produce in MR images, these characteristics promise an expanding role for iron oxide nanoparticles and molecular MR imaging for studying, diagnosing and treating diseases at the molecular level. However, these contrast agents produce areas of signal loss with traditional MRI sequences that are not specific to the nanoparticles and cannot easily quantify the contrast agent concentration. With the expanding role of iron oxide nanoparticles in molecular imaging, new methods are needed to produce a quantitative contrast that is specific to the iron oxide nanoparticle. This dissertation presents a new method for detecting and quantifying iron oxide nanoparticles using an adiabatic preparation pulse and the failure of the adiabatic condition for spins diffusing near the particles. In the first aim, the theoretical foundation of the work is presented, and a Monte Carlo simulation supporting the proposed mechanism of the contrast is described. Adiabatic pulse prepared imaging sequences are also developed for imaging at 3 Tesla and 9.4 Tesla to highlight the translational potential of the approach for clinical examinations and scientific research, and the linear correlation of the contrast with iron concentration ideal for quantification is presented. Further, the physical characteristics of the nanoparticles and the parameters of the MRI sequence are modified to characterize the approach. In the second aim, the contrast is characterized in more realistic phantoms and in vitro, and a method to more accurately quantify nanoparticle concentration in the presence of magnetization transfer is presented. Finally, accelerated imaging methods are implemented to acquire the adiabatic contrast in a time compatible with in vivo imaging, and the technique is evaluated in an in vivo model of quantitative iron oxide nanoparticle imaging. Together, these aims present a method using an adiabatic preparation pulse to generate an MR contrast based on the microscopic magnetic field gradients surrounding the iron oxide nanoparticles that is suitable for in vivo quantitative, molecular imaging.

Detection, imaging and quantification of gene expression in living cells can provide essential information on basic biological issues and disease processes. To establish this technology, we need to develop molecular probes and cellular delivery methods to detect specific RNAs in live cells with potential for in vivo applications. In this thesis work, the major focus is placed on the development of molecular beacons and biochemical approaches (peptides etc.) to deliver such probes to different cellular compartments. These approaches are then employed to study the expression and localization of mRNAs, co-localization of mRNAs with cytoplasmic organelles and cytoskeleton, and co-localization of RNA molecules in the nuclei of living cells. Further along this direction, we were interested in developing a better understanding of the functional states of mRNAs and the fluorescent signal observed in optical imaging experiments. To acheive this goal, we altered the translational process and studied its effect on the detection of mRNAs in living cells. The results of these studies indicate that the translational state of mRNAs favors the hybridization of molecular beacon with its target sequence. This study has also provided the evidence that molecular beacons are reversibly bound to target mRNAs and the repression of the translational process can prevent molecular beacon from binding to its target mRNA. Further, using these approaches in combination with FRAP based biophysical analysis, the dynamics of endogenous RNA in living cells are studied. These studies revealed the possible subcellular organization of RNA molecules and their dynamics in living cells. The results also demonstrated the role of cytoskeleton and ATP in the mobility of specific mRNAs in the cytoplasm. In addition to optical probes, studies have been carried out to develop an MRI contrast agent using iron-oxide nanoparticles for deep tissue molecular imaging. Specifically, we have functionalized magnetic nanoparticles that are water-soluble, mono-dispersed, biocompatible, and easily adaptable for multifunctional bioconjugation of probes and ligands. We have successfully delivered magnetic nanoparticle bioconjugates into live cells and demonstrated their effect on relaxivity. We have further studied the role of coating thickness for optimization of contrast and further enhance the fundamental understanding of contrast mechanisms.

In this presentation it is demonstrated that the unique magnetic properties of superparamagnetic cobalt-spinel ferrite nanoparticles can be employed in several novel applications. A method to selectively capture and remove pathogens from infected organisms to improve longevity is presented. Evidence is provided to show that automated methods using modified forms of hemofiltration or peritoneal dialysis could be used to eliminate the particle/pathogen or particle/infected cell conjugates from the organism postoperatively. It is shown that disparately functionalized nanoparticles can be used in concert as drug carrier and release mechanisms. Lastly, we provide preliminary evidence to support the use of magnetic nanoparticles for controlling reaction kinetics.

The idea of miniaturizing devices down to the nanoscale where quantum ffeffects become relevant demands a detailed understanding of the interplay between classical and quantum properties. Therefore, characterization of newly produced nanoscale materials is a very important part of the research in this fifield. Studying structural and magnetic properties of nano- and molecular magnets and the interplay between these properties reveals new interesting effects and suggests ways to control and optimize the respective material. The main task of this thesis is investigating the magnetic properties of molecular magnetic clusters and magnetic nanoparticles recently synthesized by several collaborating groups. This thesis contains two main parts focusing on each of these two topics. In the first part the fundamental studies on novel metal-organic molecular complexes is presented. Several newly synthesized magnetic complexes were investigated by means of different experimental techniques, in particular, by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Chapter 1 in this part provides the theoretical background which is necessary for the interpretation of the effects observed in single molecular magnetic clusters. Chapter 2 introduces the experimental techniques applied in the studies. Chapter 3 contains the experimental results and their discussion. Firstly, the magnetic properties of two Ni-based complexes are presented. The complexes possess different ligand structures and arrangements of the Ni-ions in the metal cores. This difffference dramatically affffects the magnetic properties of the molecules such as the ground state and the magnetic anisotropy. Secondly, a detailed study of the Mn2Ni3 single molecular magnet is described. The complex has a bistable magnetic ground state with a high spin value of S = 7 and shows slow relaxation and quantum tunnelling of the magnetization. The third section concentrates on a Mn(III)-based single chain magnet showing ferromagnetic ordering of the Mn-spins and a strong magnetic anisotropy which leads to a hysteretic behavior of the magnetization. The last section describes a detailed study of the static and dynamic magnetic properties of three Mn-dimer molecular complexes by means of static magnetization, continuous wave and pulse electron spin resonance measurements. The results indicate a systematic dependence of the magnetic properties on the nearest ligands surrounding of the Mn ions. The second part of the thesis addresses magnetic properties of nano-scaled magnets such as carbon nanotubes fifilled with magnetic materials and carbon-coated magnetic nanoparticles. These studies are eventually aiming at the possible application of these particles as agents for magnetic hyperthermia. In this respect, their behavior in static and alternating magnetic fifields is investigated and discussed. Moreover, two possible hyperthermia applications of the studied magnetic nanoparticles are presented, which are the combination of a hyperthermia agents with an anticancer drug and the possibility to spatially localize the hyperthermia effffect by applying specially designed static magnetic fifields.

This dissertation presents a new class of cancer diagnostic agents composed of quantum dots, magnetic nanoparticles, and amphiphilic polymers. The central hypothesis is that biocompatible, amphiphilic block copolymers can be used to create multinanoparticle micellar probes with imaging capabilities and surface properties optimized for applications in cancer diagnostics. To test this hypothesis, we investigated a number of different block copolymer structures and synthetic procedures. We found that use of a poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(ethylene oxide) polymer in conjunction with a dialysis-based procedure produced uniform probes with excellent imaging properties. We also found that the probes formed using these materials and methods were surprisingly stable, even after incubation in whole human blood for 24 hrs at 37oC. As a corollary, we hypothesized that modified polymer structures could be used to introduce functional groups for use in linking the micellar probes to biological molecules. To test this hypothesis, we used a modified version of our synthetic procedure and utilized a novel method for studying nanoparticle binding to biological molecules in real time. We found that active amine groups could be added to the polymer shell using these methods, and that surface plasmon resonance could be used for studying nanoparticle binding. In sum, this dissertation makes several contributions to the field of cancer nanotechnology. First, we provide a new encapsulation procedure and nanostructure that has promising physical and biological properties. Secondly, we provide general strategies that can be used for future nanoprobe development. Finally, we demonstrate the capability of a new method for quantitative study of probe binding characteristics. Together, these contributions drive the field of cancer nanotechnology forward by providing a deeper understanding of the relationship between surface design and behavior in biological systems.

Esta dissertação apresenta um estudo de diferentes metodologias de imobilização (fisissorção, quimissorção com carboxibenzaldeído e quimissorção com glutaraldeído) da lipase de Burkholderia cepacia em nanopartículas magnéticas e sua aplicação na resolução cinética de alcoóis secundários racêmicos. O método de imobilização por fisissorção resultou na imobilização de 0,21 mg de proteína em 20 mg de nanopartículas magnéticas. Para a mesma quantidade de nanopartículas magnéticas, o método de quimissorção com carboxibenzaldeído imobilizou 0,26 mg de proteína contra 0,28 mg de proteína pelo método de quimissorção com glutaraldeído, a melhor relação encontrada neste trabalho. A atividade enzimática foi avaliada na resolução cinética de alcoóis secundários racêmicos [(RS)-2-bromo-1-(fenil)etanol, (RS)-2-bromo-1-(4-nitrofenil)etanol, (RS)-1-(4-nitrofenil)etanol e (RS)-1-(fenil)-1,2-etanodiol] via reação de transesterificação enantiosseletiva. O efeito de diferentes parâmetros reacionais para a resolução cinética foi estudado, como agente acilante, quantidade de substrato, solvente, quantidade de nanopartículas magnéticas (suporte), velocidade de agitação, tempo e temperatura reacionais. Os melhores parâmetros encontrados foram acetato de vinila como agente acilante, tolueno como solvente e sob agitação de 800 rpm. Observou-se que após 30 dias de estocagem da lipase imobilizada por fisissorção sua atividade foi mantida. Além disso, estudou-se a reciclagem da enzima imobilizada, durante a resolução cinética. A melhor temperatura e tempo reacional foram determinados para cada método de imobilização. A quimissorção com glutaraldeído foi o melhor método de imobilização para a reciclagem da enzima, pois durante 8 ciclos de resolução cinética a conversão (50 %) e a enantiosseletividade (>99 %) foram mantidas. Com base nesses resultados, pode-se concluir que o processo de imobilização permite um aumento da estabilidade da enzima quando comparada com a enzima livre, permitindo sua reutilização por vários ciclos reacionais. / This dissertation describes studies about different immobilization methodologies (physisorption, chemisorption with carboxibenzaldehyde and chemisorption with glutaraldehyde) of the Burkholderia cepacia lipase on magnetic nanoparticles and its application in the enzymatic kinetic resolution of chiral secondary alcohols. The physisorption method immobilized 0.21 mg of protein per 20 mg of magnetic nanoparticles. Using the same amount of magnetic nanoparticles, the chemisorption method with carboxibenzaldehyde immobilized 0.26 mg of protein against 0.28 mg for the chemisorption with glutaraldehyde, the best result found in this work. The enzymatic activity was determined in the enzymatic kinetic resolution of chiral secondary alcohols [(RS)-2-bromo-1-(phenyl)ethanol, (RS)-2-bromo-1- (4-nitrophenyl)ethanol, (RS)-1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethanol and (RS</I<)-1-(phenyl)- 1,2-ethanodiol] via enantioselective transesterification reaction. The effect of several reaction parameters for the kinetic resolution was studied, such as acetyl donor, substrate concentration, solvent, amount of magnetic nanoparticles (support), agitation speed, reaction time and temperature. The best results were obtained using vinyl acetate as acetyl donor, toluene as solvent, and 800 rpm as agitation speed. Regarding the physisorption method, after 30 days as storing time the enzymatic activity remained the same. Besides, the reusability of immobilized lipase was evaluated. The best temperature and reaction time in the kinetic resolution were determined for each immobilization method. The chemisorption with glutaraldehyde was the best immobilization method for the enzyme reusability, because even after 8 cycles of the kinetic reaction, the conversion (50 %) and enantioselectivity (>99 %) remained the same. Based on these results, it is possible to conclude that the immobilization process increased the enzyme stability when compared to the free enzyme, allowing its reusability for many reaction cycles.

Em virtude da grande atenção que os nanomateriais magnéticos recebem atualmente, cientistas de diversas áreas (química, física, engenharia e medicina) vêm estudando as propriedades e as aplicações de nanopartículas magnéticas, gerando uma grande demanda por materiais de alta qualidade. As propriedades dos nanomateriais magnéticos são fortemente dependentes de suas propriedades intrínsecas (p. ex., composição, cristalinidade, tamanho e forma) e das interações entre as partículas, portanto sofrendo grande influencia do método de síntese aplicado. Várias técnicas para produção de nanomateriais magnéticos são conhecidas, porém muitas delas geram materiais com baixa qualidade no que diz respeito a tamanho médio e faixa de distribuição de tamanhos nas amostras. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar a síntese de nanopartículas de magnetita (Fe3O4) por decomposição térmica do acetilacetonato de ferro (III), um método já conhecido e que se destaca pela alta qualidade de amostras (elevado controle no tamanho, estreita distribuição de tamanhos e forma bem definida), porém de alto custo. Estudamos a influência dos aditivos normalmente empregados no meio reacional no controle da morfologia, tamanho e polidispesão das amostras preparadas e sugerimos outros reagentes (monoóis, dióis e polióis) em busca de novas condições de síntese de nanopartículas magnéticas com morfologia e tamanho controlados. Do ponto de vista prático, reduzimos o custo de produção de nanomateriais magnéticos de alta qualidade pela utilização de aditivos mais baratos e de fácil obtenção no mercado. Os diferentes aditivos propostos modificaram as propriedades magnéticas ligadas às interações dipolares entre as partículas magnéticas. A influência dos aditivos foi testada em crescimentos sucessivos usando partículas de magnetita já formadas como sementes. O perfil de crescimento se mostrou diferente em função dos reagentes empregados e as amostras tiveram suas interações hiperfinas medidas para avaliar a relação entre o tamanho e aumento da cristalinidade das partículas formadas. O revestimento das partículas de magnetita com ouro foi estudado buscando aumentar a biocompatibilidade e proteger os núcleos magnéticos, porém as estruturas core-shell obtidas não apresentaram comportamento superparamagnético. Os estudos das interações hiperfinas mostraram perda da cristalinidade após o revestimento com ouro. As partículas de magnetita foram aplicadas para produzir calor através de hipertermia magnética, sendo que a interação entre as partículas se mostrou fundamental para o aumento do calor gerado. Outra aplicação biomédica testada foi o uso das partículas de magnetita como contraste para imagem por ressonância magnética nuclear. Nossas amostras mostraram desempenho semelhante às partículas disponíveis no mercado a alto custo / Magnetic nanomaterials have received a great deal of attention from scientists of various research fields (chemistry, physics, engineering and medicine) that have been studying the properties and applications of magnetic nanoparticles, generating a great demand for high quality materials. The magnetic properties of nanomaterials are strongly dependent on their intrinsic properties (eg., composition, crystallinity, size and shape) and the interactions between particles, therefore are influenced by the method of synthesis applied. Various techniques for the production of nanomarerials are known, but many of them produce poor quality materials, regarding to the average size, broad size distribution range and variable shape. The present work aimed to study the synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) by thermal decomposition of iron (III) acetylacetonate, a method already known for delivering high quality samples (high control on the size and narrow size distribution ), but at high cost. We studied the influence of additives normally used in the reaction medium to control the morphology, size and polydispersion and suggested other reagents (monols, diols and polyols) in the search for new conditions to synthesize magnetic nanoparticles with controlled size and morphology. From a practical viewpoint, we have reduced cost of producing high-quality magnetic nanoparticles using cheaper additives available on the market. The different additives used in the synthetic protocol modified the magnetic properties which are related to dipolar interactions between magnetic particles. The influence of additives was tested in successive growth using magnetite particles previously formed as seeds. The growth profile showed to be different depending on the additives used and the samples had their hyperfine interactions measured to estimate the relationship between the size increasing and the crystallinity of the particles formed. The coating of the magnetite particles with gold was studied in order to increase the biocompatibility and to protect the magnetic core. In this case, the core-shell structure lost the superparamagnetic behavior. Studies of hyperfine interactions showed the loss of crystallinity after coating the nanoparticles with gold. The synthesized particles were used to produce heat by magnetic hyperthermia, where the interaction between the particles proved to be crucial to increase the generated heat. Another biomedical application tested was the use of magnetite particles as contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. Our samples showed similar performance to the commercially available particles at high cost.