Surface modification of hydrophobic iron oxide nanoparticles for clinical applications

Monodisperse superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were prepared by thermal decomposition of Fe(CO)/sub 5/ and by consecutive aeration in organic medium. The resultant hydrophobic SPION surface was modified to be hydrophilic via Fe-S covalent bond with bi-functional 3-mercaptopropionic acid and then, the terminal carboxylic acid group was esterified with dextran for biocompatibility. Analysis by water dispersity, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy are reported.