Microwave-Driven Synthesis of Iron-Oxide Nanoparticles for Molecular Imaging

Abstract

Here, we present a comprehensive review on the use of microwave chemistry for the synthesis of iron-oxide nanoparticles focused on molecular imaging. We provide a brief introduction on molecular imaging, the applications of iron oxide in biomedicine, and traditional methods for the synthesis of these nanoparticles. The review then focuses on the different examples published where the use of microwaves is key for the production of nanoparticles. We study how the different parameters modulate nanoparticle properties, particularly for imaging applications. Finally, we explore principal applications in imaging of microwave-produced iron-oxide nanoparticles.

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: An Alternative for Positive Contrast in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

“…Due to the simplicity, fast kinetics and reproducibility of the reactions, microwave-assisted synthesis of IONPs has grown lately. The use of microwaves ensures a very fast and homogeneous heating in the sample, which translates in a narrow size distribution of the nanoparticles [107]. Regarding the synthesis of IONPs for T 1 contrast, our group has been deeply involved in the use of microwaves.…”

Facile and low-cost synthesis of pure hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles from naturally occurring laterites and their superior adsorption capability towards acid-dyes

“…When particle size and shape is taken into account, synthesized nanoparticles have a considerable smaller particle size when compared to literature, 36,38,39,49 and a very stable even shape which is more or less spherical shape. The frequent question that raised is regarding the purity of the nanoparticles which have been synthesized by earth materials.…”

“…Conventional production methods of nanoparticles, mainly microwave-assisted synthesis, co-precipitation method, hydrothermal and high-temperature synthesis, sol-gel synthesis, polyol methods, ow injection synthesis, electrochemical methods, aerosol/vapour methods and sonolysis methods have been reported in the literature. 3,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] It is an established fact that the production of these nanoparticles require a lot of resources, time, energy and human effort even for a single gram of nanopowder which in turn make it a very limited and expensive product that doesn't full the current demand. 35,37 Recent literature shows that hematite nanoparticles have been produced by methods such as hydrothermal synthesis, 38,39 electrochemical synthesis, 40 microwave assisted synthesis 41 and so forth.…”

Advances in Methods for Recovery of Ferrous, Alumina, and Silica Nanoparticles from Fly Ash Waste

“…Thus, here several examples have been provided where IONPs and SiNPs have been used for the remediation of heavy metals. Out of both IONPs and SiNPs, the former has numerous advantages over SiNPs, as it can be easily manipulated under the influence of an external magnetic field and can exhibit superparamagnetism [223][224][225][226]. Moreover, due to the presence of unpaired electrons in their 3D shell, they have Fe 2+ , Fe 3+ ions, and form either ferrimagnetic or ferromagnetic particles [227,228].…”