Tailored Magnetic Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-Based Core–Shell Nanoparticles Coated with TiO<sub>2</sub> and SiO<sub>2</sub> via Co-Precipitation: Structure–Property Correlation for Medical Imaging Applications

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Magnetic nanoparticles, particularly iron oxide-based materials, such as magnetite (Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>), have gained significant attention as contrast agents in medical imaging This study aimsto syntheze and characterize Fe&l...

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Main Authors: Elena Emanuela Herbei, Daniela Laura Buruiana, Alina Crina Muresan, Viorica Ghisman, Nicoleta Lucica Bogatu, Vasile Basliu, Claudiu-Ionut Vasile, Lucian Barbu-Tudoran
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Diagnostics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/15/1912
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author Elena Emanuela Herbei
Daniela Laura Buruiana
Alina Crina Muresan
Viorica Ghisman
Nicoleta Lucica Bogatu
Vasile Basliu
Claudiu-Ionut Vasile
Lucian Barbu-Tudoran
author_facet Elena Emanuela Herbei
Daniela Laura Buruiana
Alina Crina Muresan
Viorica Ghisman
Nicoleta Lucica Bogatu
Vasile Basliu
Claudiu-Ionut Vasile
Lucian Barbu-Tudoran
author_sort Elena Emanuela Herbei
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Magnetic nanoparticles, particularly iron oxide-based materials, such as magnetite (Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>), have gained significant attention as contrast agents in medical imaging This study aimsto syntheze and characterize Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-based core–shell nanostructures, including Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@TiO<sub>2</sub> and Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@SiO<sub>2</sub>, and to evaluate their potential as tunable contrast agents for diagnostic imaging. <b>Methods:</b> Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@TiO<sub>2</sub>, and Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@SiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles were synthesized via co-precipitation at varying temperatures from iron salt precursors. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to confirm the presence of Fe–O bonds, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to determine the crystalline phases and estimate average crystallite sizes. Morphological analysis and particle size distribution were assessed by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Magnetic properties were investigated using vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). <b>Results:</b> FTIR spectra exhibited characteristic Fe–O vibrations at 543 cm<sup>−1</sup> and 555 cm<sup>−1</sup>, indicating the formation of magnetite. XRD patterns confirmed a dominant cubic magnetite phase, with the presence of rutile TiO<sub>2</sub> and stishovite SiO<sub>2</sub> in the coated samples. The average crystallite sizes ranged from 24 to 95 nm. SEM and TEM analyses revealed particle sizes between 5 and 150 nm with well-defined core–shell morphologies. VSM measurements showed saturation magnetization (Ms) values ranging from 40 to 70 emu/g, depending on the synthesis temperature and shell composition. The highest Ms value was obtained for uncoated Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> synthesized at 94 °C. <b>Conclusions:</b> The synthesized Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-based core–shell nanomaterials exhibit desirable structural, morphological, and magnetic properties for use as contrast agents. Their tunable magnetic response and nanoscale dimensions make them promising candidates for advanced diagnostic imaging applications.
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spelling doaj-art-9a98cb364e8e4104ba2d2adf50aad5032025-08-20T04:00:50ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-07-011515191210.3390/diagnostics15151912Tailored Magnetic Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-Based Core–Shell Nanoparticles Coated with TiO<sub>2</sub> and SiO<sub>2</sub> via Co-Precipitation: Structure–Property Correlation for Medical Imaging ApplicationsElena Emanuela Herbei0Daniela Laura Buruiana1Alina Crina Muresan2Viorica Ghisman3Nicoleta Lucica Bogatu4Vasile Basliu5Claudiu-Ionut Vasile6Lucian Barbu-Tudoran7Interdisciplinary Research Centre in the Field of Eco-Nano Technology and Advance Materials CC-ITI, Faculty of Engineering, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, 47 Domnească, 800008 Galati, RomaniaInterdisciplinary Research Centre in the Field of Eco-Nano Technology and Advance Materials CC-ITI, Faculty of Engineering, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, 47 Domnească, 800008 Galati, RomaniaInterdisciplinary Research Centre in the Field of Eco-Nano Technology and Advance Materials CC-ITI, Faculty of Engineering, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, 47 Domnească, 800008 Galati, RomaniaInterdisciplinary Research Centre in the Field of Eco-Nano Technology and Advance Materials CC-ITI, Faculty of Engineering, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, 47 Domnească, 800008 Galati, RomaniaInterdisciplinary Research Centre in the Field of Eco-Nano Technology and Advance Materials CC-ITI, Faculty of Engineering, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, 47 Domnească, 800008 Galati, RomaniaCross-Border Faculty, Cahul, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, 47 Domnească Street, 800008 Galati, RomaniaClinical Medicine Department, Medicine and Pharmacy Faculty, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, 47 Domneasca, 800008 Galati, RomaniaElectron Microscopy Center “Prof. C. Craciun”, Faculty of Biology & Geology, “Babes-Bolyai” University, 5-7 Clinicilor St., 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Magnetic nanoparticles, particularly iron oxide-based materials, such as magnetite (Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>), have gained significant attention as contrast agents in medical imaging This study aimsto syntheze and characterize Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-based core–shell nanostructures, including Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@TiO<sub>2</sub> and Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@SiO<sub>2</sub>, and to evaluate their potential as tunable contrast agents for diagnostic imaging. <b>Methods:</b> Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@TiO<sub>2</sub>, and Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@SiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles were synthesized via co-precipitation at varying temperatures from iron salt precursors. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to confirm the presence of Fe–O bonds, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to determine the crystalline phases and estimate average crystallite sizes. Morphological analysis and particle size distribution were assessed by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Magnetic properties were investigated using vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). <b>Results:</b> FTIR spectra exhibited characteristic Fe–O vibrations at 543 cm<sup>−1</sup> and 555 cm<sup>−1</sup>, indicating the formation of magnetite. XRD patterns confirmed a dominant cubic magnetite phase, with the presence of rutile TiO<sub>2</sub> and stishovite SiO<sub>2</sub> in the coated samples. The average crystallite sizes ranged from 24 to 95 nm. SEM and TEM analyses revealed particle sizes between 5 and 150 nm with well-defined core–shell morphologies. VSM measurements showed saturation magnetization (Ms) values ranging from 40 to 70 emu/g, depending on the synthesis temperature and shell composition. The highest Ms value was obtained for uncoated Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> synthesized at 94 °C. <b>Conclusions:</b> The synthesized Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-based core–shell nanomaterials exhibit desirable structural, morphological, and magnetic properties for use as contrast agents. Their tunable magnetic response and nanoscale dimensions make them promising candidates for advanced diagnostic imaging applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/15/1912magnetic nanoparticlesFe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> core–shell nanostructurescontrast agentsmedical imagingVibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM)
spellingShingle Elena Emanuela Herbei
Daniela Laura Buruiana
Alina Crina Muresan
Viorica Ghisman
Nicoleta Lucica Bogatu
Vasile Basliu
Claudiu-Ionut Vasile
Lucian Barbu-Tudoran
Tailored Magnetic Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-Based Core–Shell Nanoparticles Coated with TiO<sub>2</sub> and SiO<sub>2</sub> via Co-Precipitation: Structure–Property Correlation for Medical Imaging Applications
Diagnostics
magnetic nanoparticles
Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> core–shell nanostructures
contrast agents
medical imaging
Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM)
title Tailored Magnetic Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-Based Core–Shell Nanoparticles Coated with TiO<sub>2</sub> and SiO<sub>2</sub> via Co-Precipitation: Structure–Property Correlation for Medical Imaging Applications
title_full Tailored Magnetic Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-Based Core–Shell Nanoparticles Coated with TiO<sub>2</sub> and SiO<sub>2</sub> via Co-Precipitation: Structure–Property Correlation for Medical Imaging Applications
title_fullStr Tailored Magnetic Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-Based Core–Shell Nanoparticles Coated with TiO<sub>2</sub> and SiO<sub>2</sub> via Co-Precipitation: Structure–Property Correlation for Medical Imaging Applications
title_full_unstemmed Tailored Magnetic Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-Based Core–Shell Nanoparticles Coated with TiO<sub>2</sub> and SiO<sub>2</sub> via Co-Precipitation: Structure–Property Correlation for Medical Imaging Applications
title_short Tailored Magnetic Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-Based Core–Shell Nanoparticles Coated with TiO<sub>2</sub> and SiO<sub>2</sub> via Co-Precipitation: Structure–Property Correlation for Medical Imaging Applications
title_sort tailored magnetic fe sub 3 sub o sub 4 sub based core shell nanoparticles coated with tio sub 2 sub and sio sub 2 sub via co precipitation structure property correlation for medical imaging applications
topic magnetic nanoparticles
Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> core–shell nanostructures
contrast agents
medical imaging
Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM)
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/15/1912
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