MoS₂–Gd Chelate Magnetic Nanomaterials with Core–Shell Structure Used as Contrast Agents in <i>in Vivo</i> Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Despite their frequent usages as contrast agents for in vivo MRI imaging, paramagnetic molecules continue to suffer from low resolution, physicochemical instability, and high toxicity. Herein, we present a molybdenum disulfide and gadolinium complex, as an alternative core-shell magnetic nanomaterial that exhibits enhanced paramagnetic property; 4.5-times longer water proton spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) when compared to commercial gadolinium contrast agents; as well as lowered toxicity, extended blood circulation time, increased stability, and desirable excretion characteristic. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed smooth core-shell nanoparticles 100 nm in size with a shell width of approximately 10 nm. These findings suggest that the synthesized nanomaterial possesses high potential as a positive contrast agent for the enhancement of MRI imaging.