Synthesis of highly crystalline and monodisperse maghemite nanocrystallites without a size-selection process

Nanospheres of silica with an epsilon-Fe2O3 single crystal nucleus

A route to produce single crystals of epsilon-Fe(2)O(3) individually wrapped in a silica shell is presented. Formation of epsilon-Fe(2)O(3)/silica nanospheres was achieved by controlled recrystallization of maghemite particles confined in silica shells via calcination in air. Phase transition was monitored by X-ray diffraction, magnetometry, and transmission electron microscopy. Core-shell nanocomposite particles can be dispersed as a colloidal suspension in several polar liquids enlarging the processability spectrum of the material and thus facilitating the use of epsilon-Fe(2)O(3) in technological applications and its integration in devices.

Investigation of a Mesoporous Silicon Based Ferromagnetic Nanocomposite

A semiconductor/metal nanocomposite is composed of a porosified silicon wafer and embedded ferromagnetic nanostructures. The obtained hybrid system possesses the electronic properties of silicon together with the magnetic properties of the incorporated ferromagnetic metal. On the one hand, a transition metal is electrochemically deposited from a metal salt solution into the nanostructured silicon skeleton, on the other hand magnetic particles of a few nanometres in size, fabricated in solution, are incorporated by immersion. The electrochemically deposited nanostructures can be tuned in size, shape and their spatial distribution by the process parameters, and thus specimens with desired ferromagnetic properties can be fabricated. Using magnetite nanoparticles for infiltration into porous silicon is of interest not only because of the magnetic properties of the composite material due to the possible modification of the ferromagnetic/superparamagnetic transition but also because of the biocompatibility of the system caused by the low toxicity of both materials. Thus, it is a promising candidate for biomedical applications as drug delivery or biomedical targeting.

Nanopattern transfer from high-density self-assembled nanosphere arrays on prepatterned substrates

We have fabricated nanoimprint moulds with high-density well-defined nanopatterns by pattern transfer from self-assembled nanosphere arrays on prepatterned substrates. Silica nanospheres of 100 and 25 nm diameter were regularly arranged over large areas in a self-assembling manner by capillary force via a dip-coating technique on topographically patterned substrates having 220 nm pitch line/space patterns. The nanosphere arrays were used as etching masks, and nanodot arrays with the same arrangements were created on the silica substrate surfaces by reactive ion etching (RIE). By developing a combined pattern transfer process using Ru and SiO(x) mask layers and CF4 and O2 RIE, the aspect ratio between the height and diameter of the nanodots made from the 25 nm nanospheres is improved to about two. It is demonstrated that the nanopatterns of the moulds can be inversely transferred into polymer surfaces reproducibly by UV nanoimprint process.

Limitations on the optical tunability of small diameter gold nanoshells

Gold (Au) nanoshells were grown on silica nanoparticles with differing average diameters, ranging from 30 to 120 nm. Au nanoshells were also formed on silica spheres encapsulating 5 nm diameter magnetic iron oxide nanocrystals. The optical absorbance spectra of these Au nanoshells are reported. The plasmon resonance wavelengths of the smaller diameter nanoshells were significantly less tunable than those of the larger diameter nanoshells. This is due to a reduced range of accessible core-shell ratio, the geometric factor that determines the plasmon peak position, as the silica core diameter shrinks. The smaller diameter nanoshells were also found to be highly prone to aggregation, which broadens the plasmon absorption peak. Model calculations of dispersion stability as a function of silica core diameter reveal that smaller diameter Au shells exhibit more aggregation because of the size-dependence of the electrostatic double-layer potential.

Enhanced stem cell tracking via electrostatically assembled fluorescent SPION-peptide complexes

For cellular MRI there is a need to label cells with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) that have multiple imaging moieties that are nontoxic and have increased NMR relaxation properties to improve the detection and tracking of therapeutic cells. Although increases in the relaxation properties of SPION have been accomplished, detection of tagged cells is limited by either poor cell labeling efficiency or low intracellular iron content. A strategy via a complex formation with transfection agents to overcome these obstacles has been reported. In this paper, we report a complex formation between negatively charged fluorescent monodisperse SPION and positively charged peptides and use the complex formation to improve the MR properties of labeled stem cells. As a result, labeled stem cells exhibited a strong fluorescent signal and enhanced T 2*-weighted MR imaging in vitro and in vivo in a flank tumor model.

Preparation of Fe3O4Spherical Nanoporous Particles Facilitated by Polyethylene Glycol 4000

Much interest has been attracted to the magnetic materials with porous structure because of their unique properties and potential applications. In this report, Fe3O4nanoporous particles assembled from small Fe3O4nanoparticles have been prepared by thermal decomposition of iron acetylacetonate in the presence of polyethylene glycol 4000. The size of the spherical nanoporous particles is 100-200 nm. Surface area measurement shows that these Fe3O4nanoporous particles have a high surface area of 87.5 m2/g. Magnetization measurement and Mössbauer spectrum indicate that these particles are nearly superparamagnetic at room temperature. It is found that the morphology of the products is greatly influenced by polyethylene glycol concentration and the polymerization degree of polyethylene glycol. Polyethylene glycol molecules are believed to facilitate the formation of the spherical assembly.

Bilayers as phase transfer agents for nanocrystals prepared in nonpolar solvents

The effective water dispersion of highly uniform nanoparticles synthesized in organic solvents is a major issue for their broad applications. In an effort to overcome this problem, iron oxide and cadmium selenide nanocrystals were surrounded by lipid bilayers to create stable, aqueous dispersions. The core inorganic particles were originally generated in oleic acid and 1-octadecene. When these organic solutions were mixed with water and a sparing amount of excess fatty acid, up to 70% of the nanoparticles transferred into the aqueous phase. This simple approach was applied to two different nanocrystal types, and nanocrystal diameters ranging from 5 to 15 nm. In all cases, the resulting materials were stable, nonaggregated suspensions that retained their original magnetic and optical properties. The phase transfer efficiency is maximum when very little oleic acid is added (e.g. 0.2 w/w %). At higher concentrations, above the critical micelle concentration, the formation of micelles begins to compete with bilayer generation leading to less effective phase transfer. Unlike other approaches for water dispersion that rely on amphiphiles with significant water solubility, the fatty acids used in this work are only sparingly soluble in water. As a result, there is minimal dynamic exchange between free and bound surface agents and the resulting aqueous solutions contain little residual free organic carbon. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed the presence of bilayers around the nanocrystal cores. The particle size, size distribution, process yield, and colloidal stability were found using a suite of methods including transmission electron microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering, dynamic light scattering, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Bilayer-nanocrystal complexes possess many of the same size-dependent features as the original materials, and as such offer new avenues for exploring and exploiting the interface between nanocrystals and biology.

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles as targeted probes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles (NPs) have been attractive for medical diagnostics and therapeutics due to their unique magnetic properties and their ability to interact with various biomolecules of interest. The solution phase based chemical synthesis provides a near precise control on NP size, and monodisperse magnetic NPs with standard deviation in diameter of less than 10% are now routinely available. Upon controlled surface functionalization and coupling with fragments of DNA strands, proteins, peptides or antibodies, these NPs can be well-dispersed in biological solutions and used for drug delivery, magnetic separation, magnetic resonance imaging contrast enhancement and magnetic fluid hyperthermia. This Perspective reviews the common syntheses and controlled surface functionalization of monodisperse Fe(3)O(4)-based superparamagnetic NPs. It further outlines the exciting application potentials of these NPs in magnetic resonance imaging and drug delivery.

A Facile Hydrothermal Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Tunable Magnetic Properties

We report a facile one-step hydrothermal approach to the synthesis of iron oxide (Fe(3)O(4)) nanoparticles (NPs) with controllable diameters, narrow size distribution, and tunable magnetic properties. In this approach, the iron oxide NPs were fabricated by oxidation of FeCl(2)·4H(2)O in basic aqueous solution under an elevated temperature and pressure. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies reveal that the particles are highly crystalline and that the diameters of the particles can be tuned from 15 nm to 31 nm through the variation of the reaction conditions. The NPs exhibit high saturation magnetization in the range of 53.3 ~ 97.4 emu/g and their magnetic behavior can be either ferromagnetic or superparamagnetic depending on the particle size. A superconducting quantum interference device magnetorelaxometry (SQUID-MRX) study shows that the size of the NPs significantly affects the detection sensitivity. The investigated iron oxide NPs may find many potential biological applications in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Effect of nanoparticle and aggregate size on the relaxometric properties of MR contrast agents based on high quality magnetite nanoparticles

Colloidal dispersions of monodispersed and high-crystalline magnetite nanoparticles have been used to establish a relationship between magnetic properties and magnetic resonance (MR) relaxometric parameters in vitro. Magnetite nanoparticles with diameters between 4 and 14 nm were synthesized by thermal decomposition of Fe(acac)3 in different organic solvents and transformed to hydrophilic by changing oleic acid for dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). A final treatment in alkaline water was critical to make the suspension stable at pH 7 with xi-potential values of -45 mV and hydrodynamic sizes as low as 50 nm. Samples showed superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature, which is an important parameter for biomedical applications. Susceptibility increased with both particle and aggregate size, and for particles larger than 9 nm, the aggregate size was the key factor controlling the susceptibility. Relaxivity values followed the same trend as the suspension susceptibilities, indicating that the aggregate size is an important factor above a certain particle size governing the proton relaxation times. The highest relaxivity value, r2=317 s(-1) mM(-1), much higher than those for commercial contrast agents with similar hydrodynamic size, was obtained for a suspension consisting of 9 nm particles and 70 nm of hydrodynamic size, and it was assigned to the higher particle crystallinity in comparison to particles prepared by coprecipitation. Therefore, it can be concluded that in addition to the sample crystallinity, both particle size and aggregate size should be considered in order to explain the magnetic and relaxivity values of a suspension.

Electrostatic properties of maghemite (γ- Fe(2)O(3)) nanocrystalline quantum dots determined by electrophoretic deposition

We applied a DC electric field between two flat electrodes to attract thermally charged maghemite (γ-Fe(2)O(3)) nanocrystalline quantum dots dissolved in hexane to form smooth, robust, large area and apparently identical films of equal thickness on both electrodes. Visible microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and profilometry showed that the electrophoretically deposited dot films were very smooth with an rms roughness of ∼10 nm for ∼0.2 µm thick films. The films were of high quality. They did not re-dissolve in hexane (as do those formed by dry casting), which is a good solvent for these dots, or in common cleaning solvents such as water, alcohols and acetone. The deposition on both electrodes implies there are both positively and negatively thermally charged dots, unlike conventional electrophoretic deposition. We used simple thermodynamics to explain the results of electrophoretic deposition macroscopically. To connect the macroscopic nature of the deposition to the microscopic nature of the dots we performed electrophoretic mobility measurements of the dots and the results seem to complement the thermodynamic treatment.

Size-dependant heating rates of iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic fluid hyperthermia

Using the thermal decomposition of organometallics method we have synthesized high-quality, iron oxide nanoparticles of tailorable size up to ~15nm and transferred them to a water phase by coating with a biocompatible polymer. The magnetic behavior of these particles was measured and fit to a log-normal distribution using the Chantrell method and their polydispersity was confirmed to be very narrow. By performing calorimetry measurements with these monodisperse particles we have unambiguously demonstrated, for the first time, that at a given frequency, heating rates of superparamagnetic particles are dependent on particle size, in agreement with earlier theoretical predictions.

Nanoscale forces and their uses in self-assembly

The ability to assemble nanoscopic components into larger structures and materials depends crucially on the ability to understand in quantitative detail and subsequently "engineer" the interparticle interactions. This Review provides a critical examination of the various interparticle forces (van der Waals, electrostatic, magnetic, molecular, and entropic) that can be used in nanoscale self-assembly. For each type of interaction, the magnitude and the length scale are discussed, as well as the scaling with particle size and interparticle distance. In all cases, the discussion emphasizes characteristics unique to the nanoscale. These theoretical considerations are accompanied by examples of recent experimental systems, in which specific interaction types were used to drive nanoscopic self-assembly. Overall, this Review aims to provide a comprehensive yet easily accessible resource of nanoscale-specific interparticle forces that can be implemented in models or simulations of self-assembly processes at this scale.

Sonochemical synthesis of monodispersed magnetite nanoparticles by using an ethanol-water mixed solvent

The magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized in an ethanol-water solution under ultrasonic irradiation from a Fe(OH)(2) precipitate. XRD, TEM, TG, IR, VSM and UV/vis absorption spectrum were used to characterize the magnetite nanoparticles. It was found that the formation of magnetite was accelerated in ethanol-water solution in the presence of ultrasonic irradiation, whereas, it was limited in ethanol-water solution under mechanical stirring. The monodispersibility of magnetite particles was improved significantly through the sonochemical synthesis in ethanol-water solution. The magnetic properties were improved for the samples synthesized under ultrasonic irradiation. This would be attributed to high Fe(2+) concentration in the magnetite cubic structure.

Spatial control of chemistry on the inside and outside of inorganic nanocrystals

The ability to make inorganic nanocrystals of controlled size, shape, and composition is well-established for some elements and compounds, but by no means has been generalized to the entire periodic table. A new paper in this issue of ACS Nano offers a route to explore more of the periodic table with increased control over both composition and position for inorganic nanostructures. This Perspective provides a snapshot of the major challenges in controlling the positions of atoms and molecules both in the cores and on the surfaces of inorganic nanocrystals.

Orthogonal reactivity of metal and multimetal nanostructures for selective, stepwise, and spatially-controlled solid-state modification

Chemists rely on a toolbox of robust chemical transformations for selectively modifying molecules with spatial and functional precision to make them more complex in a controllable and predictable manner. This manuscript describes proof-of-principle experiments for a conceptually analogous strategy involving the selective, stepwise, and spatially controlled modification of inorganic nanostructures. The key concept is orthogonal reactivity: one component of a multicomponent system reacts with a particular reagent under a specific set of conditions while the others do not, even though they are all present together in the same reaction vessel. Using the chemical conversion of metal nanoparticles into intermetallic, sulfide, and phosphide nanoparticles as representative examples, the concept of orthogonal reactivity is defined and demonstrated for a variety of two- and three-component nanoscale systems. First, solution-phase reactivity data are presented and collectively analyzed for the reaction of metal nanoparticles (Ni, Cu, Rh, Pd, Ag, Pt, Au, Sn) with several metal salt and elemental reagents (Bi, Pb, Sb, Sn, S). From these data, several two- and three-component orthogonal systems are identified. Finally, these results are applied to the spatially selective chemical modification of lithographically patterned surfaces and striped template-grown metal nanowires.

Size and growth rate dependent structural diversification of Fe3O4/CdS anisotropic nanocrystal heterostructures

To better understand the growth mechanism leading to enhanced anisotropy in nanocrystal heterostructures synthesized from nearly spherical seeds, we have examined various factors that contribute to structural diversification in Fe(3)O(4)/CdS systems. Pseudoseparation of nucleation and growth allows us to quantify how the number of heterojunctions formed varies with concentration and the size of the seed nanocrystals. A careful examination of the size dependence of the maximum number of CdS particles that can nucleate per seed nanocrystal suggests strain induced limitations. By increasing the growth rate, we observe an enhancement of spatial anisotropy in rods-on-dot heterostructures without the need for rod promoting capping molecules such as phosphonic acids. Crystallographic details allow us to identify three distinct morphologies that can arise in rods-on-dot heterostructures due to zinc blende/wurtzite polytypism in CdS. In all three cases, the junction planes contain identical or nearly identical coincidence sites.

Facile synthesis of tin oxide nanoflowers: a potential high-capacity lithium-ion-storage material

A facile and reproducible approach was reported to synthesize nanoparticle-attached SnO nanoflowers via decomposition of an intermediate product Sn6O4(OH)4. Sn6O4(OH)4 formed after introducing water into the traditional nonaqueous reaction, and then decomposed to SnO nanoflowers with the help of free metal cations, such as Sn2+, Fe2+, and Mn2+. This free cation-induced formation process was found independent of the nature of the surface ligand. It was demonstrated further that the as-prepared SnO nanoflowers could be utilized as good anode materials for lithium ion rechargeable batteries with a high capacity of around 800 mA h g(-1), close to the theoretical value (875 mA h g(-1)).

A new method for the aqueous functionalization of superparamagnetic Fe2O3 nanoparticles

A new methodology for the synthesis of hydrophilic iron oxide nanoparticles has been developed. This new method is based on the direct chemical modification of the nanoparticles' surfactant molecules. Using this methodology both USPIO (ultrasmall super paramagnetic iron oxide) (hydrodynamic size smaller than 50 nm) and SPIO (super paramagnetic iron oxide) (hydrodynamic size bigger than 50 nm) were obtained. In addition, we also show that it is possible to further functionalize the hydrophilic nanoparticles via covalent chemistry in water. The magnetic properties of these nanoparticles were also studied, showing their potential as MRI contrast agents.

Challenges in the development of magnetic particles for therapeutic applications

Certain iron-based particle formulations have useful magnetic properties that, when combined with low toxicity and desirable pharmacokinetics, encourage their development for therapeutic applications. This mini-review begins with background information on magnetic particle use as MRI contrast agents and the influence of material size on pharmacokinetics and tissue penetration. Therapeutic investigations, including (1) the loading of bioactive materials, (2) the use of stationary, high-gradient (HG) magnetic fields to concentrate magnetic particles in tissues or to separate material bound to the particles from the body, and (3) the application of high power alternating magnetic fields (AMF) to generate heat in magnetic particles for hyperthermic therapeutic applications are then surveyed. Attention is directed mainly to cancer treatment, as selective distribution to tumors is well-suited to particulate approaches and has been a focus of most development efforts. While magnetic particles have been explored for several decades, their use in therapeutic products remains minimal; a discussion of future directions and potential ways to better leverage magnetic properties and to integrate their use into therapeutic regimens is discussed.

Structural characterization and self-assembly into superlattices of iron oxide-gold core-shell nanoparticles synthesized via a high-temperature organometallic route

Iron oxide-gold core-shell nanocrystals have been synthesized by the thermal decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl and the subsequent reduction of gold acetate by 1,2-hexadecanediol with oleic acid and oleylamine as stabilizers. Their size, structure, composition, and optical and magnetic properties were characterized. The resultant nanoparticles were nearly monodisperse with a complete core-shell structure, and the shell thickness could be tuned via the seed-mediated growth. Also, they exhibited an absorption band at 520 nm owing to the surface plasmon resonance of Au shells and were nearly superparamagnetic due to the presence of the iron cores. By analyzing the x-ray adsorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectrum and the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra of the fast etching mode, the iron cores were shown to be oxidized but the oxidation was incomplete in the inner region. Noteworthily, the iron oxide-Au nanoparticles could self-assemble into 2D and 3D superlattices. The packing density increased while approaching the center of assembly, leading to the variation of superstructures from a 2D nearly hcp monolayer to a 3D hcp superlattice and a 3D hexagonal superlattice. Moreover, hydrophilic iron oxide-Au core-shell nanoparticles were also obtained by surface modification with mercaptoacetic acid via a phase transfer route.

A Novel Strategy for Surface Modification of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Lung Cancer Imaging

Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles are widely used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as versatile ultra-sensitive nanoprobes for cellular and molecular imaging of cancer. In this study, we report a one-step procedure for the surface functionalization of SPIO nanoparticles with a lung cancer-targeting peptide. The hydrophobic surfactants on the as-synthesized SPIO are displaced by the peptide containing a poly(ethylene glycol)-tethered cysteine residue through ligand exchange. The resulting SPIO particles are biocompatible and demonstrate high T(2) relaxivity. The nanoprobes are specific in targeting α(v)β(6)-expressing lung cancer cells as demonstrated by MR imaging and Prussian blue staining. This facile surface chemistry and the functional design of the proposed SPIO system may provide a powerful nanoplatform for the molecular diagnosis of lung cancer.