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“Single-” and “multi-core” FePt nanoparticles: from controlled synthesis via zwitterionic and silica bio-functionalization to MRI applications

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Abstract

The value of the magnetization has a strong influence on the performance of nanoparticles that act as the contrast agent material for MRI. In this article, we describe processing routes for the synthesis of FePt nanoparticles of different sizes, which, as a result, exhibit different magnetization values. “Single-core” FePt nanoparticles of different sizes (3–15 nm) were prepared via one-step or two-step synthesis, with the latter exhibiting twice the magnetization (m (1.5T) = 14.5 emu/g) of the nanoparticles formed via the one-step synthesis (m (1.5T) < 8 emu/g). Furthermore, we propose the synthesis of “multi-core” FePt nanoparticles by changing the ratio between the two surfactants (oleylamine and oleic acid). The step from smaller “single-core” FePt nanoparticles towards the larger, “multi-core” FePt nanoparticles (>20 nm) leads to an increase in the magnetization m (1.5T) from 8 to 19.5 emu/g, without exceeding the superparamagnetic limit. Stable water suspensions were prepared using two different approaches: (a) functionalization with a biocompatible, zwitterionic, catechol ligand, which was used on the FePt nanoparticles for the first time, and (b) coating with SiO2 shells of various thicknesses. These FePt-based nanostructures, the catechol- and SiO2-coated “single-core” and “multi-core” FePt nanoparticles, were investigated in terms of the relaxation rates. The higher r 2 values obtained for the “multi-core” FePt nanoparticles compared to that for the “single-core” ones indicate the superiority of the “multi-core” FePt nanoparticles as T 2 contrast agents. Furthermore, it was shown that the SiO2 coating reduces the r 1 and r 2 relaxation values for both the “single-core” and “multi-core” FePt nanoparticles. The high r 2/r 1 ratios obtained in our study put FePt nanoparticles near the top of the list of candidate materials for use in MRI.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS), Project J2-6760. This work was financially supported by Grant G.0618.11 N of the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO-V, www.fwo.be); the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders (IWT, www.iwt.be); and the KU Leuven (GOA, www.kuleuven.be). M. B. is grateful for the support from the IWT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department for Nanostructured Materials, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Nina Kostevšek, Sašo Šturm, Spomenka Kobe & Kristina Žužek Rožman

  2. Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Nina Kostevšek

  3. Department for Condensed Matter Physics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Igor Serša & Ana Sepe

  4. Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200D, Heverlee, Belgium

    Maarten Bloemen & Thierry Verbiest

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  1. Nina Kostevšek
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Correspondence to Nina Kostevšek.

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Kostevšek, N., Šturm, S., Serša, I. et al. “Single-” and “multi-core” FePt nanoparticles: from controlled synthesis via zwitterionic and silica bio-functionalization to MRI applications. J Nanopart Res 17, 464 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-015-3278-9

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