(398f) A Simple and Sustainable Method to Synthesize Magnetic Nanoparticles Using a “Functional Solvent”

Nanotechnology is a crucial aspect of modern science and research development.  Nanoparticles have a wide range of applications in areas such as optics, electronic devices, and catalysis as well as in biomedical imaging.  For example, contrast agents can be introduced into the body to improve magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) resolution by changing the contrast between tissues.  Nano-scale contrasting agents offer certain benefits over traditional contrasting agents because the nano-scale materials have improved performance in vivo by providing cellular access instead of merely tissue access.  In addition, nano-scale contrasting agents exhibit superparamagnetic characteristics, meaning they have high magnetic susceptibility and saturation.  Common methods used to synthesize metallic and magnetic nano-structures often utilize harsh solvents and reagents.  Moreover, these synthesis and purification processes are typically time-intensive.  Thus, it is of particular interest to investigate the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles using simple and sustainable methods.  Cobalt nanoparticles are superparamagnetic and can be used as MRI contrasting agents if the surface of the cobalt is functionalized to be biocompatible.  This paper will describe a single-step method to synthesize and stabilize cobalt nanoparticles using an FDA-approved, functional solvent, DMSO.  This research will also focus on the development of methods to obtain nanoparticles in distinctly different size ranges in order to study the effect of crystal size on the magnetic properties of the nanoparticles and their effectiveness as contrast agents.  These nanoparticles have been examined using transmission electron microscopy, and the nature of the interactions between the DMSO and the cobalt surface has been studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.