Size-Tunable Silicon/Iron Oxide Hybrid Nanoparticles with Fluorescence, Superparamagnetism, and Biocompatibility

Magnetic/fluorescent composite materials have become one of the most important tools in the imaging modality in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) monitoring and fluorescence optical imaging. We report herein on a simplified procedure to synthesize hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) that combine silicon and magnetic iron oxides consisting of magnetite (Fe3O4) and maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3). Intriguingly, our unique synthetic approach can control magnetic and optical behaviors by reducing the particle size, demonstrating that the HNPs with the mean diameter of 3.0 nm exhibit superparamagnetic behavior and green fluorescence in an aqueous solution, ambient air, and a cellular environment, whereas the HNPs with the mean diameter more than 5.0 nm indicate ferromagnetic behavior without fluorescence. Additionally, both HNPs with different diameters possess excellent magnetic responsivity for external applied magnetic field and good biocompatibility due to the low cytotoxicity. Our biocompatible HNPs with the superparamagnetism can provide an attractive approach for diagnostic imaging system in vivo.