Iron oxide-based superparamagnetic polymeric nanomaterials: Design, preparation, and biomedical application

Recent advances in the development and biological applications of polymeric nanomaterials embedded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SIONPs) are summarized. Novel SIONP-polymer hybrid nanoparticles are prepared by various methods, including direct modification with polymers, surface-initiated controlled polymerization, inorganic silica/polymer hybridization, self-assembly, self-association, and various heterogeneous polymerization methods. They have potential for various biomedical applications, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast enhancement, targeted drug delivery, hyperthermia, biological separation, protein immobilization, and biosensors.