Surface design of core–shell superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles drives record relaxivity values in functional MRI contrast agents†
Abstract
Core–shell hydrophilic superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles, surface functionalized with either terephthalic acid or 2-amino terephthalic acid, showed large negative MRI contrast ability, validating the advantage of using low molecular weight and π-conjugated canopies for engineering functional nanostructures with superior performances.