Enhanced colloidal stability and biocompatibility of PVA-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for potential magnetic resonance...

This study addresses the critical challenges associated with the clinical translation of iron oxide nanoparticles in medical diagnostics, particularly focusing on issues of aggregation and colloidal stability. We present a comparative investigation evaluating the performance of bare magnetite (Fe₃O₄) superparamagnetic magnetic nanoparticles (SPMNPs) versus those functionalized with a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coating. The nanoparticles were synthesized via a chemical co-precipitation technique, followed by a surface-capping strategy to create a protective organic layer. Structural and chemical characterization, including X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), confirmed the phase purity and successful polymer-nanoparticle interaction. The analysis focused on assessing stability in simulated physiological fluids and evaluating biocompatibility through in vitro assays on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our results demonstrate that PVA encapsulation provides a superior bioshield, suggesting improved colloidal behavior under physiological-like conditions while preserving the essential superparamagnetic properties relevant for potential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications. These optimized nanostructures offer a stable and cost-effective nanoplatform with promising T2 relaxometric properties for potential MRI applications.