Synthesis of functionalized magnetite nanoparticles to use as liver targeting MRI contrast agent

• Superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles have been synthesized by simple and economical method.
• Preperation of functional MNPs as a MRI contrast agent for liver targeting.
• Gaining a good r2 relaxivity of the coated functional nanoparticles.

The aim of this research was the preparation of functionalized magnetite nanoparticles to use as a liver targeting contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For this purpose, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized via the co-precipitation method. The synthesized nanoparticles were coated with silica via the Stober method and finally the coated nanoparticles were functionalized with mebrofenin. Formation of crystalline magnetite particles was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX) of the final product showed that silica had been effectively bonded onto the surface of the magnetite nanoparticles and the coated nanoparticles functionalized with mebrofenin. The magnetic resonance imaging of the functional nanoparticles showed that the Fe3O4–SiO2-mebrofenin composite is an effective MRI contrast agent for liver targeting.