Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoclusters by Thermal Decomposition

Herein, we report a novel one-step solvothermal synthesis of magnetite nanoclusters (MNCs). In this report, we discuss the synthesis, structure, and properties of MNCs and contrast enhancement in T 2-weighted MR images using magnetite nanoclusters. The effect of different organic acids, used as surfactants, on the size and shape of MNCs was investigated. The structure and properties of samples were determined by magnetic measurements, TGA, TEM, HRTEM, XRD, FTIR, and MRI. Magnetic measurements show that obtained MNCs have relatively high saturation magnetization values (65.1–81.5 emu/g) and dependence of the coercive force on the average size of MNCs was established. MNCs were transferred into an aqueous medium by Pluronic F-127, and T 2-relaxivity values were determined. T 2-Weighted MR phantom images clearly demonstrated that such magnetite nanoclusters can be used as contrast agents for MRI.