Magnetic/silica nanocomposites as dual-mode contrast agents for combined magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography

A simple and efficient method for synthesizing a range of hybrid nanocomposites based on a core of silica nanospheres (160, 330, and 660 nm in diameter) covered by an outer shell of superparamagnetic nanoparticles, either iron oxide or heterodimeric FePt-iron oxide nanocrystals, is presented. The magnetic and ultrasound characterization of the resulting nanocomposites shows that they have great potential as contrast agents for dual-mode imaging purposes, combining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US). The synthesis of a range of hybrid nanocomposites based on a core of silica covered by an outer shell of superparamagnetic nanoparticles, either iron oxide or heterodimeric FePt-iron oxide nanocrystals, is presented. The nanocomposites show potential as contrast agents for dual-mode imaging purposes, combining magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.