Preparation of maghemite nanoparticles for clinical applications

Abstract

The synthesis of nearly monodisperse, roughly spherical, and non-aggregated maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles (average diameter = 5.5 nm, standard deviation = 0.7 nm over 100 particles) is reported. We utilized a sol-gel reaction of common ferric salt in reverse micelles and then, crystallization of the gel particles by reflux. The nanoparticles show superparamagnetic behavior and are expected to be useful for clinical applications.