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The excellent biocompatibility and favorable physicochemical properties of iron oxide nanoparticles have made them attractive candidates for magnetic resonance imaging. However, it remains challenging to synthesize high-performance T1 contrast agents with controlled sizes and biocompatible coating materials. In this study, we demonstrate a simple and environmentally friendly approach for synthesizing ultra-small iron oxide nanoparticles using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a template. Following synthesis, the iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were oxidized to Fe2O3 via the addition of hydrogen peroxide, which resulted in enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance contrast. The use of BSA not only stabilized the nanoparticles but also enabled precise control over nanoparticle size by adjusting the Fe-to-BSA molar ratio. This method yielded highly uniform and crystalline ultra-small nanoparticles ranging from approximately 3.7 to 7.9 nm in diameter. The T1 contrast performance of the Fe2O3@BSA nanoparticles was evaluated at 3 T magnetic field. Among the synthesized samples, nanoparticles with sizes of 4.6 nm exhibited the strongest T1 contrast enhancement along with low r2/r1 ratios. These features highlight their potential as promising alternatives to gadolinium-based contrast agents. In addition to their superior performance, this synthesis method is low-cost and non-toxic, making it suitable for scalable biomedical applications. 

Abstract Magnetic nanoparticles have continued to gain significant attention due to their unique magnetic properties and potential applications. However, it is still challenging to directly synthesize water-dispersible magnetic nanoparticles with controlled size for biomedical applications. This study investigates the influence of solvents on the continuous growth of magnetic nanoparticles, aiming to achieve controlled size and excellent water dispersibility via thermal decomposition in polyol solvents. The size of the nanoparticles gradually increases with longer polyol chain solvents. The increase in nanoparticles size is more significant under a higher reaction temperature (220 °C) compared to a lower temperature (190 °C). These monodispersed nanoparticles exhibit strong superparamagnetic properties, improving with longer solvent chain lengths at the same size. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies reveal higher relaxivities for magnetic nanoparticles synthesized in longer-chain polyols. This research offers valuable insights for synthesizing magnetic nanoparticles with precise sizes, magnetic properties, and biomedical applications. Graphical abstract 

Latent bloodstains can be visualized using a selective turn-on NIR fluorescence dye responsive to serum albumin. This non-destructive method can detect aged bloodstains and image latent blood fingerprint patterns against colorful backgrounds. 

This study develops APTES-modified iron oxide nanoparticles as a theranostic carrier for daunorubicin delivery and as an MRI contrast agent. 

Polycaprolactone (PCL) micro- and nanoparticles produced using the electrospraying technique present high drug encapsulation capacity, a controllable surface area, and a good cost–benefit ratio. PCL is also considered a non-toxic polymeric material with excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. All these characteristics make PCL micro- and nanoparticles a promising material for tissue engineering regeneration, drug delivery, and surface modification in dentistry. In this study, PCL electrosprayed specimens were produced and analyzed to determine their morphology and size. Three PCL concentrations (2, 4, and 6 wt%) and three solvent types (chloroform (CF), dimethylformamide (DMF), and acetic acid (AA)) with various solvent mixtures ratios (1:1 CF/DMF, 3:1 CF/DMF, 100% CF, 1:1 AA/CF, 3:1 AA/CF, and 100% AA) were used while keeping the remaining electrospray parameters constant. SEM images followed by ImageJ analysis showed a change in the morphology and size of the particles among various tested groups. A two-way ANOVA demonstrated a statistically significant interaction (p < 0.001) between PCL concentration and solvents on the size of the particles. With the increase in the PCL concentration, an increase in the number of fibers was observed among all the groups. The morphology and dimensions of the electrosprayed particles, as well as the presence of fibers, were significantly dependent on the PCL concentration, choice of solvent, and solvent ratio.