Carbon Coated Iron-Cobalt Nanoparticles for Magnetic Particle Imaging

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is an emerging imagingmodalitythat provides direct and quantitative mapping of iron oxide tracers.To achieve high sensitivity and good spatial resolution images, amagnetic nanoparticle with a higher contrast intensity needs to bedeveloped. Currently, a majority of MPIs being developed for potentialclinical application are composed of iron oxide nanoparticles witha spherical shape. In this project, we intend to report developmentof high-performance carbon (C) coated iron-cobalt (FeCo) nanoparticles(FeCo/C) and investigate their feasibility as a MPI agent. We havesynthesized FeCo/C through a facile and simple method at mild temperaturethat is safe, easy, and up-scalable. We studied the structural andfunctional relationships and biocompatibility of this MPI agent invitro. However, to enhance the aqueous solubility and biocompatibility,the surface of FeCo/C was modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG).We found that variation in the ratio of Fe and Co plays a vital rolein their physical properties and functionality. In vitro imaging confirmsthat the Fe3Co1/C nanoparticle has highly competitiveMPI intensity compared to VivoTrax, a commercially available MPI agent.Confocal laser scanning microscopy imaging with Rhodamine B labeledFeCo/C displays cellular internalization by the A375 cancer cells.The in vitro toxicity analysis concludes that there is no significanttoxicity of FeCo/C nanoparticles. Therefore, the newly developed MPIagent holds strong promise for biomedical imaging and could be furthervalidated in vivo in small animals.

Automated summary

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a promising imaging modality that allows direct and quantitative mapping of iron oxide tracers. In this study, high-performance carbon-coated iron-cobalt nanoparticles (FeCo/C) were developed and investigated as a MPI agent. The FeCo/C nanoparticles showed competitive MPI intensity and good biocompatibility, making them a potential candidate for biomedical imaging.