Synthesis of Au–Fe₃O₄heterostructured nanoparticles for in vivo computed tomography and magnetic resonance dual model imaging

Abstract

Water-soluble Au-Fe3O4 heterostructured nanoparticles with high biocompatibility were synthesized and applied as a dual modality contrast agent. These nanoparticles present strong CT/MRI contrast enhancement in a rabbit model. Low concentrations of Au-Fe3O4 were found to obtain a similar effect to high concentrations of a commercial iodine agent in the CT image.