Surface modification of hydrophobic iron oxide nanoparticles for clinical applications

Abstract

Monodisperse superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were prepared by thermal decomposition of Fe(CO),5 and by consecutive aeration in organic medium. The resultant hydrophobic SPION surface was modified to be hydrophilic via Fe-S covalent bond with bi-functional 3-mercaptopropionic acid and then, the terminal carboxylic acid group was esterified with dextran for biocompatibility. Analysis by water dispersity, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy are reported.