Preparation and Characterization of Spion-CDs as a Multifunctional Fluorescence/Magnetic Resonance Nanoparticle

Abstract

A multifunctional nanoparticle, Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle-Carbon Dots (SPION-CDs), for fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging is introduced. This nanoparticle possesses the magnetic properties of super-paramagnetic iron oxide (SPION) core as well as the fluorescence characteristics of carbon dots (CDs) coated in mesoporous structure. The SPION-CDs were synthesized using a high temperature facile single-pot hydrothermal method. The products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV/vis absorption, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The cytotoxic effect of SPION-CDs on OVCAR-3 cells was also evaluated. The synthesized nanoparticle possesses optimal size, low toxicity and excellent magnetic properties, including super-paramagnetic behavior (Ms = 42 emu g−1). Moreover, in the viewpoint of optical properties, the quantum yield of ~2.4% was obtained and the nanoparticle shows good fluorescence stability for cell-labeling studies. This multifunctional nanoparticle with appropriate characterization is a promising candidate for multimodal fluorescence/magnetic resonance imaging platform.

Applications of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in drug and therapeutic delivery, and biotechnological advancements

“…Our studies showed that their effects on cells depend on the cell type, cluster design and concentration [ 158 – 159 ]. Asgari et al [ 160 ] produced 50 nm SPION–carbon dot nanoparticles, which were designed for MRI and fluorescence imaging with good cytocompatibility. Park et al [ 161 ] synthesized SPIONs coated with folate containing 64 Cu for positronic emission tomography and MRI.…”