This study demonstrates a facile but effective method to construct glucose coated magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles for drug delivery through a glycothermal method (100-200 degrees C). In this process, magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were firstly prepared via a glycothermal reaction of Fe (III) salts (e.g., FeCl3 center dot 6H(2)O) in ethylene glycol. Second, the polymerized glucose was used as a carbon layer to coat on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The polymerized glucose layer is biocompatible and can provide functional -OH groups for interaction with biomolecules that contain -COOH, -SH, and -NH2 groups. The particle characteristics (morphology, size, surface property) were identified by various techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectrum. Finally, the polymerized-glucose coated magnetic Fe3O4 nanocomposites were used in drug delivery test at ambient conditions, and the loading or release performance of aspirin was assessed by using UV-vis spectroscopy. The influence of pH and ionic strength on the adsorption capacity has also been investigated. The findings in this study will be useful for engineering iron oxide nanoparticles for potential drug delivery applications. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.