The invention relates to a method for producing magnetic nanoparticles
which are made of metal oxide-polymer composites and are provided with an
increased magnetic mobility, among other things, due the high metal oxide
content and the morphological structure thereof. High-pressure
homogenization has proven to be a reliable technique for producing the
inventive magnetic nanoparticles. According to said technique, the
components metal oxide and polymer are processed in a carrier medium.
Water is used in most cases at pressures ranging from 500 bar to 1200 bar
while using great shearing forces. High pressure homogenization creates a
colloidally stable magnetic particle population having a diameter ranging
below 200 nm while also resulting in the produced magnetic nanoparticles
being provided with greater magnetic moments than the metal oxide used as
an initial material at low magnetic field strengths. The inventive
particles are particularly suitable for applications in the bioanalytical
and diagnostic field, in bioseparation processes, and as a carrier
material in high throughput screening.