Silicon Nanoparticles Prepared by Plasma‐Assisted Ablative Synthesis: Physical Properties and Potential Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Silicon (Si) nanoparticles (NPs) with small (10−3–10−1 at%) content of iron oxide (Fe2O3) are prepared by plasma‐assisted ablative synthesis. Powders of the prepared Si‐iron oxide (SIO) NPs are investigated by means of the transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Aqueous suspensions of the NPs are studied by using dynamic light scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance technique. The longitudinal and transverse relaxation times of protons in aqueous suspensions of the NPs are found to be dependent on the iron content. The stronger decrease of the proton relaxation is detected for the samples with higher iron content. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiments show that SIO NPs have properties of the MRI contrast agent and it is confirmed by in vivo experiments with cancer tumor. Aqueous suspensions of SIO NPs are explored as sensitizers of electromagnetic radio frequency hyperthermia and the highest heating rate is observed for the NPs with smaller hydrodynamic size (≈50 nm). The obtained results indicate possible ways for applications of SIO NPs in the MRI diagnostics and mild therapy of cancer.