Superparamagnetic Hyperbranched Polyglycerol‐Grafted Fe3O4 Nanoparticles as a Novel Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agent: An In Vitro Assessment |
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Authors: | Liang Wang K G Neoh E T Kang Borys Shuter Shih‐Chang Wang |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology National University of Singapore Kent Ridge, Singapore 119074 (Singapore);2. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering National University of Singapore Kent Ridge, Singapore 117576 (Singapore) |
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Abstract: | Hyperbranched polyglycerol‐grafted, magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (HPG‐grafted MNPs) are successfully synthesized by surface‐initiated ring‐opening multibranching polymerization of glycidol. Reactive hydroxyl groups are immobilized on the surface of 6–9 nm Fe3O4 nanoparticles via effective ligand exchange of oleic acid with 6‐hydroxy caproic acid. The surface hydroxyl groups are treated with aluminum isopropoxide to form the nanosized macroinitiators. The successful grafting of HPG onto the nanoparticles is confirmed by infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The HPG‐grafted MNPs have a uniform hydrodynamic diameter of (24.0 ± 3.0) nm, and are very stable in aqueous solution, as well as in cell culture medium, for months. These nanoparticles have great potential for application as a new magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, as evidenced by their lack of cytotoxicity towards mammalian cells, low uptake by macrophages, excellent stability in aqueous medium and magnetic fields, and favorable magnetic properties. Furthermore, the possibility of functionalizing the hydroxyl end‐groups of the HPG with cell‐specific targeting ligands will expand the range of applications of these MNPs. |
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Keywords: | biomedical applications Fe3O4 nanoparticles iron oxides magnetic materials polymers |
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