SYNTHESIS AND NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RELAXATION PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE IRON OXIDE NANOPARTICLES

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are suitable contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging due to their effect on proton relaxation times, and excellent biocompatibility and biodistribution in tissue. In the present study, a ferrofluid formed by dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles was prepared by the coprecipitation method and with subsequent steps of crosslinking and addition of functionalizations on the nanoparticle's surface (amino groups and a fluorophore). The effect of differences in the synthesis route (ratio of dextran to iron salts and temperature of the reaction) on the physico-chemical characteristics of the nanoparticles and their performance as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging was investigated. Overall, the nuclear magnetic relaxation times of water protons in aqueous suspensions of the nanoparticles did not show major differences among different batches, with no significant effect due to the addition of the fluorophore or changes in the dextran fraction of up to 50%. Larger reductions in the ratio of dextran to iron salts resulted in particles with slightly larger sizes, higher saturation magnetization and distinct nuclear magnetic relaxation times.