Composite Materials Based on Gelatin and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for MRI Accuracy

Abstract

The majority of recent studies have focused on obtaining MRI materials for internal use. However, this study focuses on a straightforward method for preparing gelatin-based materials with iron oxide nanoparticles (G–Fe2O3 and G–Fe3O4) for external use. The newly obtained materials must be precisely tuned to match the requirements and usage situation because they will be in close touch with human/animal skin. The biocompatible structures formed by gelatin, tannic acid, and iron oxide nanoparticles were investigated by using FTIR spectroscopy, SEM-EDAX analysis, and contact angle methods. The physico-chemical properties were obtained by using mechanical investigations, dynamic vapor sorption analysis, and bulk magnetic determination. The size and shape of iron oxide nanoparticles dictates the magnetic behavior of the gelatin-based samples. The magnetization curves revealed a typical S-shaped superparamagnetic behavior which is evidence of improved MRI image accuracy. In addition, the MTT assay was used to demonstrate the non-toxicity of the samples, and the antibacterial test confirmed satisfactory findings for all G-based materials.

Biopolymer-Based Films Reinforced with FexOy-Nanoparticles

“…Iron ions form a crosslink complex that bonds to macromolecules through multiple means, such as hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen and ionic bonding [ 68 ]. These findings are consistent with those of previous studies [ 67 , 69 ]. Neat cellulose acetate-based films exhibited a moderate water contact angle value (WCA = 92.7°) due to the hydrophobicity of cellulose acetate [ 70 , 71 ].…”

“…The WCA values varied with the polymer’s nature and were also affected by nanoparticle incorporation. For gelatin, a mild hydrophilic behavior was observed (WCA = 82.2 °), despite the presence of hydrophilic chains in the polymer framework [ 67 ]. This behavior can be attributed to the orientation of the hydrophobic groups at the interface between gelatin and air during gelation or solvent evaporation.…”

“…Likewise, the WVP of chitosan embedded with Fe x O y -NPs decreased by 29% when compared with the neat chitosan film (4.3 ± 0.04 g·m/h·m 2 ·Pa × , Table 1 ), which may be due to an enhancement in polymer matrix hydrophobicity [ 80 ]. Nevertheless, the water vapor permeability of composite films is affected by multiple factors, including hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, thickness, roughness, compaction, particle size, crystallinity, distribution, and orientation [ 9 , 67 , 81 ]. In general, nanoparticles contribute to a reduction in the water vapor permeability of a film by reducing the number of free hydroxy groups or by enhancing the hydrophobicity and crystallinity and, therefore, improving the moisture resistance of the film matrix [ 12 , 82 ].…”

“…In contrast, the incorporation of Fe x O y -NPs produced irregularities and an increment in terms of plasticizer. This could be attributed to the different characteristics of the nanoparticles, such as granulation, size, dispersion, and aggregation on the surface during the process of solvent evaporation [ 51 , 67 ]. The nanoparticles were uniformly distributed, with slight aggregation in the gelatin and cellulose systems, whereas agglomeration was observed in the chitosan system.…”

Biopolymer-Based Films Reinforced with Green Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

“…For the gelatin system, the GE-based neat film exhibited hydrophilic behavior, with the WCA = 65.3°, owing to the configuration of its hydrophilic groups within the framework. The hydrophilic behavior of gelatin was further explained by the orientation of the hydrophobic chains at the air-exposed surface of gelatin during the process of gelation and solvent evaporation [ 83 ]. When the ZnO-NPs were incorporated into the GE-based film, a reduction in the hydrophilicity was observed (WCA ≈ 76.3°), in consonance with the hydrophobic nature of the ZnO-NPs.…”