Iron oxide-based superparamagnetic polymeric nanomaterials: Design, preparation, and biomedical application

Recent advances in the development and biological applications of polymeric nanomaterials embedded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SIONPs) are summarized. Novel SIONP-polymer hybrid nanoparticles are prepared by various methods, including direct modification with polymers, surface-initiated controlled polymerization, inorganic silica/polymer hybridization, self-assembly, self-association, and various heterogeneous polymerization methods. They have potential for various biomedical applications, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast enhancement, targeted drug delivery, hyperthermia, biological separation, protein immobilization, and biosensors. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.