Magnetic Nanoparticles; Synthesis, Characterization and Application as Contrast Agent in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Nanocrystalline magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) of Fe3O4 and Ag coated Fe3O4 were synthesized. Samples were synthesized from precursor solutions having pH values of 10. Structural properties were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and magnetic characterization was done using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Confirms the fcc spinel structures were confirmed for Fe3O4. TEM images confirms the Ag coating on Fe3O4 NPs. The saturation magnetization of Fe304 NPs and Fe3O4@Ag NPs were observed as 80 and 34 emu/g at 1.5 T, respectively from the VSM results. Dextran coated magnetic NPs were used on mice as contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).