Nanoscale Engineering of Hybrid Magnetite-Carbon Nanofibre Materials for MRI Contrast Agents

Magnetic nanomaterials show significant promise as contrast agent materials for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We have developed a new highly efficient one-step synthesis of magnetically-functionalised hollow carbon... [ view full abstract ]

Magnetic nanomaterials show significant promise as contrast agent materials for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We have developed a new highly efficient one-step synthesis of magnetically-functionalised hollow carbon nanofibres, where the size of magnetite nanoparticles formed on carbon nanofibres is controlled by the mass ratio of the magnetite precursor (iron acetylacetonate) to nanofibres which act as templates and supports for the nucleation and growth of the magnetic nanoparticles. The physicochemical and magnetic properties of the new hybrid nanomaterials are evaluated and optimised with the aim to ultimately produce an efficient “smart” MRI theranostic agent – a material that allows the combined diagnosis (with MRI), treatment (with magnetic targeting) and follow-up of a disease (with MRI) – currently in high demand for various clinical applications. We have shown that our magnetite-nanofibre materials are effectively solubilised in water resulting in a stable suspension that has been employed as a “negative” contrast agent with an excellent transverse relaxivity (R2) of (268 ± 13) mM/s. Moreover, their attractive magnetic properties make them especially suited for magnetic tracking and thus of particular interest for personalised nanomedicine.
The authors are grateful to Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation. Grant number RFMEFI60715X0132.