(350i) High-Throughput Continuous Flow Synthesis of Peg-Functionalized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

Magnetic nanoparticles, in particular iron oxide, have been extensively investigated as they are a promising biotechnological platform, with applications such as MRI contrasting agents, drug delivery, cell labelling and sorting and magnetic hyperthermia. However, their large scale manufacturing to translate the promising research results into the real world still remains a challenge. Large scale synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles of controlled size has been demonstrated but typically relies on high temperature thermal decomposition in the presence of hydrophobic surfactants. A second and lengthy ligand exchange step is then necessary, in order to stabilize the particles in water/biological environments.

In this work, for the first time, iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesised and functionalised in a single setup using a platform of microreactors connected in series. The nanoparticles obtained have a highly stable polyethylene glycol (PEG) shell anchored with a bisphosphonate/catechol moiety, ensuring water dispersity and stability in biological media. Carboxylic acid end chain groups allow for further derivatization of the magnetic nanoplatform (e.g. with fluorophores). The synthesis rig can reproducibly generate large amounts of these high quality stable iron oxide nanoparticles, enabling their deployment in real world applications.