Magnetic Nanoparticles and Biopolymer Magnetic Colloids for Ultrasensitive Molecular Imaging and Hyperthermia

Abstract

Multifunctional nanomaterials are propitious candidates for molecular imaging and therapeutic applications. Here we reported the preparation of magnetic nanoferrites and biopolymer core-shell magnetic colloids (BCMC) with magnetic modalities and assessment of their potentials for in vitro molecular imaging. Magnetic hematite and cobalt ferrites were synthesized by co-precipitation. Nanoparticles were characterized through SEM, FTIR, BET and VSM, to study the compositional and magnetic characteristics variation along with varying concentrations and shape. XRD analysis confirms the formation of single spinal Fe3O4 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles with average particle size ranging from 15-30 nm. Further, we fabricated biothin films using PDAC polymer. Interestingly uniform particle size distribution was obtained within 5 to 15 bilayers along with 20% increment of iron contents. Furthermore potential of nanoparticles and biothin films have been studied as a MRI contrast agent. Investigation revealed increment in the iron contents boost the magnetic spin that leads to higher MRI signal. T2 weighted images exhibited better contrast resolution along with higher MRI signal intensity than T1 weighted images. Nanoparticles and BCMC such as the ones described in this article are promising candidates for not only the contrast agents but also the systematic hyperthermia.