Abstract
Novel method for synthesis of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with polyethylenimine (PEI) and modified with poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (MPEG), MPEG‐PEI‐SPIONs, was developed. PEI‐SPIONs were successfully prepared in aqueous system via photochemistry, and their surface was modified with poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (MPEG). The so‐obtained MPEG‐PEI‐SPIONs had a uniform hydrodynamic particle size of 34 nm. The successful coating of MPEG‐PEI on the SPIONs was ascertained from FT‐IR analysis, and the PEI and MPEG fractions in MPEG‐PEI‐SPIONs were calculated to account for 31% and 12%, respectively. Magnetic measurement revealed that the saturated magnetization of MPEG‐PEI‐SPIONs reached 46 emu/g and the nanoparticles showed the characteristic of being superparamagnetic. The stability experiment revealed that the MPEG‐PEI modification improved the nanoparticles stability greatly. T2 relaxation measurements showed that MPEG‐PEI‐SPIONs show similar R2 value to the PEI‐SPIONs. The T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of MPEG‐PEI‐SPIONs showed that the magnetic resonance signal was enhanced significantly with increasing nanoparticle concentration in water. These results indicated that the MPEG‐PEI‐SPIONs had great potential for application in MRI.
Highlights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive technique routinely used in clinics for diagnostic imaging
The physical properties, stability, and MRI of the MPEG-PEI-superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are investigated and the results showed that these novel nanoparticles may be a good candidate for bioapplications utilizing MRI
PEI chains were grafted from the SPIONs via recombination of the PEI free radicals, and the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles was coated by a cross-linked PEI shell via further crosslinking
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive technique routinely used in clinics for diagnostic imaging. It has become very important diagnostic modality in hospitals [1]. Storage, and application of MR contrast agent, the stability and biocompatibility of SPIONs are important [5]. To reduce aggregation and enhance the biocompatibility, the coating of polymer onto SPIONs surface is indispensable [7, 8]. SPIONs have a reduced aggregation, improved biocompatibility, and longer half-life in circulation and are successfully used for MRI contrast agent and targeted gene and drug delivery [9,10,11]
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