Tantalum oxide nanoparticles show great potential as the next generation of X-ray contrast media. Recently, we reported advances in tantalum oxide nanoparticles and identified improvements that were required for such particles to progress further. Namely, the viscosity of concentrated particles, the amount of retention in reticuloendothelial (RES) tissues, and the effect of large quantities of particles on the kidneys after administration were all identified as critical factors which needed further study, understanding, and development. Here, we report on a zwitterionic siloxane polymer nanoparticle coating that reduced the viscosity of concentrated solutions of particles by a factor of 5, decreased tissue retention of injected particles by a factor of 10, and, importantly, did not induce pathological responses in the kidneys.

a b s t r a c tFe and FeCo ferromagnetic nanoparticles in the 5-10 nm size regimes featuring high magnetization were synthesized using a modified chemical reduction method. The structure and morphology of these nanoparticles were confirmed by XRD and TEM analysis. These small, monodisperse and phase pure nanoparticles exhibited magnetic saturation of 210 emu/g (Fe) and 220 emu/g (Feþ Co) for Fe and FeCo nanoparticles respectively. The magnetization was found to be dependent on the temperature at which the reducing agent was introduced.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) incorporated polystyrene beads of uniform size distribution (170 nm) and high magnetic content (40%) are synthesized by emulsion styrene polymerization in the presence of functionalized SPIO. The role of surface functionality on the polymerization process and SPIO incorporation is investigated by carrying out styrene emulsion polymerizations with different functionalities on SPIO. A unique combination of oleic acid and (2-acetoacetoxy) ethyl methacrylate as surface ligands for SPIO is used to attain the best magnetic beads.

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