Superior CdSe/ZnS@Fe2O3 Yolk-Shell Nanoparticles as Optically Active MRI Contrast Agents

Abstract

We have developed a robust synthesis methodology for quantum dots (QDs) nanoparticles with magnetic properties designed for biomodal imaging. These nanocrsytlas consists of a semiconductor quantum dot core with engineered fluorescence, which is located in a paramagnetic iron oxide shell that acts as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent. Yolk-shell CdSe/ZnS@Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized via sonochemical decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl (Fe(CO)(5)) using the oleylamine (OAm) as the ligand. The sonochemical synthesis method of magnetic fluorescent NPs that can be used as MRI contrast agents provided advantages such as improved quantum efficiency and homogeneous size distributions. It has been determined that the luminescence efficiency of quantum dots decreases in coatings that can be made at high temperatures by thermal decomposition. In order to eliminate the disadvantage of elevated temperatures, the sonochemical decomposition method, which allows coating at low temperatures, has been used. With this method, yolk-shell (CdSe/ZnS@Fe2O3) nanoparticles were produced with high photoluminescence quantum efficiency and homogeneous size distributions. The synthesis magnetic fluorescent NPs optimized was determined to have the injection temperature of Fe(CO)(5) at 60 degrees C, Fe(CO)(5)/CdSe@ZnS ratio 0.7, OAm/Fe(CO)(5) volume ratio 1.43 with an oxidation time 5 min. Under these conditions, the quantum efficiency was found to be 78 %, nanoparticle sizes between 11-14 nm and r(1) value was 0.199, r(2) value was 0.518 in MRI analysis. These optically active magnetic fluorescent nanoparticles as positive contrast agents (T1 weighted) are predicted to pave the way for the future of advanced bio-imaging systems.