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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Facile Protocol for the Synthesis of Self-assembling Polyamine-based Peptide Amphiphiles (PPAs) and Related Biomaterials
Published on: June 25, 2018
Synthesis and characterization of novel radiopaque poly(allyl amine) nanoparticles
Damia Mawad1, Antonio Lauto, Alexandra Penciu
1Laboratoire d'Automatique et de Génie des Procédés, LAGEP, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5007, 43 bd 11 Novembre, 69622 Villeurbanne, France.
Abstract:
Contrast agents are currently used in a variety of diagnostic imaging techniques, including computer tomography for early cancer detection. Radiopaque nanoparticles have recently been proposed as an alternative method to traditional contrast agents that may allow for long-term image tracking. The aim of this study was the preparation and characterization of aqueous suspensions of radiopaque nanoparticles made of poly(allyl amine) derivatives. Poly(allylamine) (PA) was modified by grafting either 4-iodobenzoyl chloride or 2,3,5-triiodobenzoyl chloride to make the polymer x-ray visible. Nanoparticles of the modified PA were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method and purified with respect to residual organic solvents. Stable suspensions of spherical particles of sub-micronic diameter were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the 4.5 wt% suspensions of nanoparticles displayed an x-ray visibility ranging between 185 and 235 HU. The non-clustering ability of the novel PA radiopaque nanoparticles suggests they could be injected via a catheter without clogging or sedimentation.
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