Gadolinium silicate-coated porous silicon nanoparticles as an MRI contrast agent and drug delivery carrier

A nano-formulation based on gadolinium silicate-coated porous silicon nanoparticles (pSiNPs) is newly disclosed as an MRI contrast agent and drug delivery carrier. In this study, a new surface coating method of pSiNPs using gadolinium ions (Gd3+) was introduced, and the resulting nanoparticles (named pSiNPs-Gd) showed T1-type MR responses and high drug encapsulation efficacy at the same time. The nanoparticle characterization, MR signal, cytotoxicity, and drug release profile were systematically analyzed. We believe our findings could contribute to the development of multi-functional pSiNPs-based nanotherapeutics and their applications in various fields. A new nano-formulation based on gadolinium silicate-coated porous silicon nanoparticles is disclosed as an MRI contrast agent and drug delivery carrier. [Display omitted] •A new nano-formulation based on gadolinium silicate-coated porous silicon nanoparticles is disclosed.•The nano-formulation, pSiNPs-Gd, exhibited strong MR signals.•pSiNPs-Gd showed high drug loading efficiency and superior biocompatibility.