Optimised Synthetic Route for Tuneable Shell SiO_2@Fe_3O_4 Core-Shell Nanoparticles

摘要

Multifunctional nanoparticles (that have in their structure different components that can perform various functions) are subject of intensive research activities as they find a large variety of applications in numerous biomedical fields from enhancement of image contrast in MRI to different magnetically controllable drug delivery systems. In this study we report on the synthesis of well-separated, monodisperse single core-shell SiO_2@Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles with an overall diameter of ～30nm. The influence of stirring rate and reaction time on synthesis of tuneable shell thickness core-shell nanoparticles is reported. Particles' cell toxicity and performance as MRI contrast agents were also studied due to their promising biological applications (as contrast agents, cell labelling and separation, drug delivery systems, etc.) and results are promising in terms of MRI performance as well as having no significant cytotoxicity.