Abstract
Magnetic nanoparticle systems can be divided into single-core nanoparticles (with only one magnetic core per particle) and magnetic multi-core nanoparticles (with several magnetic cores per particle). Here, we report multi-core nanoparticle synthesis based on a controlled precipitation process within a well-defined oil in water emulsion to trap the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) in a range of polymer matrices of choice, such as poly(styrene), poly(lactid acid), poly(methyl methacrylate), and poly(caprolactone). Multi-core particles were obtained within the Z-average size range of 130 to 340 nm. With the aim to combine the fast room temperature magnetic relaxation of small individual cores with high magnetization of the ensemble of SPIONs, we used small (<10 nm) core nanoparticles. The performed synthesis is highly flexible with respect to the choice of polymer and SPION loading and gives rise to multi-core particles with interesting magnetic properties and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast efficacy.
Highlights
In the last few decades there has been a tremendous development in the synthesis and use of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, mainly due to their interesting magnetic properties at the nanoscale and relative low toxicity [1]
Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images show that the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) are well crystallized and have a small size
Further studies involving the detailed investigation of their biocompatibility, in vivo behavior and other parameters, have to be undertaken to confirm this potential and to evaluate whether these particles are suitable as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents and could provide an added value to the currently existing agents
Summary
In the last few decades there has been a tremendous development in the synthesis and use of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, mainly due to their interesting magnetic properties at the nanoscale and relative low toxicity [1]. Synthesis methods for polymer/SPION hybrid multicore particles, where the polymer is intended as a stabilizer for SPION, have been reported in literature and can be divided in to three major approaches: (a) the incorporation of SPIONs into a forming polymer phase, e.g., polymerization in the presence of the nanoparticles; (b) SPION formation from iron salts in an existing polymer particle and (c) the trapping within a precipitating polymer in the so-called emulsion-solvent-evaporation process (ESE). All of these processes have their advantages and disadvantages [14]. In this paper we present the preparation of multi-core magnetic hybrid particles based on the ESE method in order to investigate the structure/magnetic properties relationship and their potential contrast enhancement in MRI, based on their NMR relaxivities
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