Synthesis of nickel nanodiscs and modification of shells of polyelectrolyte microcapsules with them

Magnetic nickel nanoparticles, especially of anisotropic shape, are increasingly attracting the attention of researchers in the field of biomedicine. In this work, magnetic nickel nanodiscs have been synthesized to modify the shells of polyelectrolyte capsules in order to further create new agents for theranostics based on such a nanocomposite system. To obtain nickel nanoparticles in the form of nanodiscs, the method of alternating electrodeposition of metals in the pores of a polymer track membrane was used. Nanowires with alternating layers of copper and nickel were synthesized, and nickel nanodiscs were isolated by selective etching of copper. The magnetic properties of the nanodiscs were investigated by vibrational magnetometry of an array of nanowires in a polymer matrix. The selected disks were studied by dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering. The possibility of including nickel nanodiscs in the shells of polyelectrolyte capsules by adsorption on a polycation layer followed by application of a polyanion is demonstrated.