Synthesis of long T₁ silicon nanoparticles for hyperpolarized ²⁹Si magnetic resonance imaging.
We describe the synthesis, materials characterization, and dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) of amorphous and crystalline silicon nanoparticles for use as hyperpolarized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents. The particles were synthesized by means of a metathesis reaction between sodium silicide (Na₄Si₄) and silicon tetrachloride (SiCl₄) and were surface functionalized with a variety of passivating ligands. The synthesis scheme results in particles of diameter ∼10 nm with long size-adjusted ²⁹Si spin-lattice relaxation (T₁) times (>600 s), which are retained after hyperpolarization by low-temperature DNP.
Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA.
Tonya M
TM
Atkins
Maja C
MC
Cassidy
Menyoung
M
Lee
Shreyashi
S
Ganguly
Charles M
CM
Marcus
Susan M
SM
Kauzlarich
D007554:Isotopes; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature
D007554:Isotopes; D012825:Silicon