Toxicity, morphological and structural properties of chitosan‐coated Bi 2 O 3 –Bi(OH) 3 nanoparticles prepared via DC arc discharge in liquid: a potential nanoparticle‐based CT contrast agent

Abstract

In this study, Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles were employed as computed tomography (CT) contrast agents. In this regard, X-ray attenuation of Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles, prepared via DC arc discharge in water, was investigated. In addition, the optical, structural, morphology and cytotoxicity properties of afforded nanoparticles were also studied. The electric arc discharge was done via bismuth electrodes in a water medium. Then, to stabilise Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles, chitosan molecule was cross linked via glutaraldehyde around Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated the monoclinic structure and field emission-scanning electron microscopy images clarified the average size of Bi 2 O 3 as 40 nm. Fourier transform infrared analysis proved chitosan band formation around Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay revealed no considerable toxicity after 72 h. Finally, X-ray CT of chitosan-coated Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles and Iohexol was carried out at concentrations of 1-6 mg/ml. The CT number of chitosan-coated Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles measured 16, 30, 49, 66, 75 and 85, as well as, respective numbers for Iohexol were 5, 14, 25, 34, 44 and 57. Therefore, it displayed that X-ray attenuation of chitosan-coated Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticle was more in comparison with Iohexol at the same concentrations. Eventually, the results demonstrated that chitosan-coated Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles are a suitable candidate for commercial iodine contrast agent substitution.