title: Designed synthesis of uniformly sized iron oxide nanoparticles for efficient magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents.
abstract: Various magnetic nanoparticles have been extensively investigated as novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents owing to their unique characteristics, including efficient contrast effects, biocompatibility, and versatile surface functionalization capability. Nanoparticles with high relaxivity are very desirable because they would increase the accuracy of MRI. Recent progress in nanotechnology enables fine control of the size, crystal structure, and surface properties of iron oxide nanoparticles. In this tutorial review, we discuss how MRI contrast effects can be improved by controlling the size, composition, doping, assembly, and surface properties of iron-oxide-based nanoparticles.
authors.affiliation: World Class University Program of Chemical Convergence for Energy & Environment, and School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-744, Korea.
authors.forename: Nohyun
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Taeghwan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hyeon
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008280:Magnetics; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005290:Ferric Compounds; C000499:ferric oxide