Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

High-Temperature and High-Pressure In situ Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Published on: October 9, 2020
A simple and highly sensitive method for magnetic nanoparticle quantitation using 1H-NMR spectroscopy.
Jonathan Gunn1, Rajan K Paranji, Miqin Zhang
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
A new proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H-NMR) spectroscopy method accurately quantifies superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) regardless of surface coating. This technique offers a sensitive, rapid, and cost-effective solution for SPION analysis in various applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) show promise in medical diagnosis and therapy.
- Accurate quantification of SPIONs is crucial for standardized research but current methods lack sensitivity and are complex.
- Reliable SPION quantification is needed for consistent development and application studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a robust and standardized method for quantifying SPIONs.
- To demonstrate the versatility of the method across different SPION types and sample matrices.
- To overcome limitations of existing SPION characterization techniques.
Main Methods:
- Utilized proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H-NMR) spectroscopy.
- Measured water relaxivity shifts (R(1) or R(2)) correlated with SPION concentration.
- Validated the method with unmodified and coated SPIONs, and in the presence of cells.
Main Results:
- Achieved linear correlations between SPION concentration and relaxivities over five orders of magnitude (down to 10 ppb iron).
- Successfully quantified SPIONs in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells down to <10 ng Fe/mL.
- Demonstrated method's independence from SPION surface modification.
Conclusions:
- Proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H-NMR) spectroscopy provides a sensitive, rapid, and cost-effective method for SPION quantification.
- The developed method is applicable to nanoparticle development, in vitro assays, and potentially in vivo biodistribution studies.
- This technique offers significant advantages over current quantitative SPION analysis methods.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Applications Of NMR In Biology
The...
2D NMR: Overview of Heteronuclear Correlation Techniques
NMR Spectrometers: Resolution and Error Correction
¹H NMR: Interpreting Distorted and Overlapping Signals
As Δν decreases and the signals move closer, the doublets appear increasingly distorted. The intensities of the inner lines increase at the cost of those of the outer lines as the signals are slanted or...
Atomic Nuclei: Magnetic Resonance
Two-Dimensional (2D) NMR: Overview
The first step is the preparation period, during which nucleus A is excited with a radiofrequency pulse.

