Polyethyleneimine-mediated synthesis of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with enhanced sensitivity in T2 magnetic resonance imaging

- Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were prepared by polyethyleneimine (PEI)-mediated synthesis.
- The size and r2 relaxivity of IONPs were strongly influenced by PEI concentration.
- Monodispersed IONPs (14.4 nm) were obtained at 0.05 wt% PEI.
- In this case, the r2 relaxivity was increased up to 227.6 mM−1 s−1.
- Rapid and strong uptake of IONPs was detected in rat liver by MR imaging.