Hydrothermal synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents

Magnetite (Fe 3O 4) nanoparticles prepared using hydrothermal approach were employed to study their potential application as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent. The hydrothermal process involves precursors FeCl 2·4H 2O and FeCl 3 with NaOH as reducing agent to initiate the precipitation of Fe 3O 4, followed by hydrothermal treatment to produce nano-sized Fe 3O 4. Chitosan (CTS) was coated onto the surface of the as-prepared Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles to enhance its stability and biocompatible properties. The size distribution of the obtained Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The cubic inverse spinel structure of Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray diffraction technique (XRD). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum indicated the presence of the chitosan on the surface of the Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles. The superparamagnetic behaviour of the produced Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles at room temperature was elucidated using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). From the result of custom made phantom study of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, coated Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles have been proved to be a promising contrast enhanced agent in MR imaging. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l