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Updated: Dec 19, 2025
Biofunctionalized Prussian Blue Nanoparticles for Multimodal Molecular Imaging Applications
Published on: April 28, 2015
Prussian blue nanoparticles: synthesis, surface modification, and biomedical applications
Maria Antònia Busquets1, Joan Estelrich1
1Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Avda. Joan XXIII, 27-31, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, IN2UB, Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Abstract:
Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) are a nanomaterial that presents unique properties and an excellent biocompatibility. They can be synthesized in mild conditions and can be derivatized with polymers and/or biomolecules. PBNPs are used in biomedicine as therapy and diagnostic agents. In biomedical imaging, PBNPs constitute contrast agents in photoacoustic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They are a good adsorbent to be used as antidotes for poisoning with cesium and/or thallium ions. Moreover, the ability to convert energy into heat makes them useful photothermal agents (PAs) in photothermal therapy (PTT) or as nonantibiotic substances with antibacterial properties. Finally, PBNPs can be both reduced to Prussian white and oxidized to Prussian green. A large window of redox potential exists between reduction and oxidation, which result in the enzyme-like characteristics of these NPs.
