Cube-shaped Triethylene Glycol-coated Ni−Mn Ferrite Nanoparticles for use as T2 Contrast Agents in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Nickel-manganese (Ni−Mn) ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized using the hydrothermal technique and were coated with the biocompatible material of triethylene glycol (TEG) during the synthetic process. The chemical composition of the particles was Ni0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 based on the use of inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The shapes of the particles were cubic in the TEM images and had an average side length of 68 nm. The XRD patterns confirmed the inverse spinel structure of these particles. The FTIR spectra also showed the firm coating of the TEG on the surfaces of these particles. The saturation magnetization of the particles was observed to be 66 emu/g with a coercive force of 150 Oe. The T1 and T2 relaxivities of the hydrogen protons in the aqueous dispersion of the particles were 0.32 and 15.59 mM−1s−1, respectively. The ratio of r2/r1 was 48.72, thus indicating that the Ni0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles are applicable as high-efficacy T2 contrasts agents in MRI.