A simple polyol-free synthesis route to Gd 2O 3 nanoparticles for MRI applications : An experimental and theoretical study

• Chelated gadolinium ions, e.g., Gd-DTPA, are today used clinically as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An attractive alternative contrast agent is composed of gadolinium oxide nanoparticles as they have shown to provide enhanced contrast and, in principle, more straightforward molecular capping possibilities. In this study, we report a new, simple, and polyol-free way of synthesizing 4-5-nm-sized Gd 2O 3 nanoparticles at room temperature, with high stability and water solubility. The nanoparticles induce high-proton relaxivity compared to Gd-DTPA showing r 1 and r 2 values almost as high as those for free Gd 3+ ions in water. The Gd 2O 3 nanoparticles are capped with acetate and carbonate groups, as shown with infrared spectroscopy, near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and combined thermogravimetric and mass spectroscopy analysis. Interpretation of infrared spectroscopy data is corroborated by extensive quantum chemical calculations. This nanomaterial is easily prepared and has promising properties to function as a core in a future contrast agent for MRI. 

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Teoretisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Theoretical Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Gadolinium oxide

IR

Relaxivity

Synthesis

Toxicity

XPS

Carbonate group

Contrast agent

Enhanced contrast

Gadolinium ions

Gd-DTPA

High stability

Mass spectroscopy

Nanomaterial

Near-edge x-ray absorption

Quantum chemical calculations

Room temperature

Synthesis route

Theoretical study

Thermogravimetric

Water solubilities

X-ray photoelectrons

Alcohols

Infrared spectroscopy

Iridium

Magnetic resonance imaging

Mass spectrometry

Nanoparticles

Photoelectrons

Quantum chemistry

Synthesis (chemical)

Thermogravimetric analysis

X ray absorption spectroscopy

X ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Gadolinium

gadolinium chloride

gadolinium oxide nanoparticle

gadolinium pentetate

nanoparticle

nuclear magnetic resonance imaging agent

polyol

unclassified drug

article

chemical composition

drug synthesis

light scattering

molecular stability

nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

particle size

priority journal

thermogravimetry

transmission electron microscopy

X ray diffraction

TECHNOLOGY

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)