The synthesis of nanoparticles pervades other areas of activity in the NFP, as these nanoparticles are used drug delivery, sensing or nanocomposites.
Because of their potential applications, we have developed a strong interest in the preparation of porous and hybrid nanoparticles. We try to develop processes that enable us to control the processing and assembly of NPs in terms of size, shape, composition, morphology and collective properties. Because different types of nanoparticles require different strategies, we are developing synthesis processes in the three areas listed below:
Nanoparticles for MRI imaging
In addition to the use of nanoparticles in other applications (sensing, nanocomposites, drug delivery), which are described elsewhere, some of the particles that we prepare have application in imaging diagnosis, mainly in enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and/or Optical Imaging. This involves meeting significant challenges which are mainly related to characteristics such as magnetic behaviour, stability in body fluids, circulation lifetime and biocompatibility. This in turn requires control on the synthesis, surface functionalization, and functionality of these nanoplatforms. Our activity in this field falls within the following areas:
- Prof. Ricardo Ibarra García, University of Zaragoza, Spain
- Dr. Jesús Martinez de la Fuente, University of Zaragoza, Spain.
- Dr. Clara Marquina García. Materials Science Institute of Aragon (CSIC). Spain
- Prof. Carles Arús Caralto, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
- Dr. Simó Schwartz Navarro. Hospital Vall d’Hebron. Barcelona. Spain.
- Prof. Pilar Marco Colas. Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (CSIC). Spain
- Prof. Mark T. Swihart. State University of New York at Buffalo. USA
Some recent related publications:
1. “Highly magnetic silica-coated iron nanoparticles prepared by the arc-discharge method”, Fernández-Pacheco, R., Arruebo, M., Marquina, C., Arbiol, J., Ibarra, M.R., Santamaria, J., Nanotechnology 17, 1188-92, (2006).
2. “Synthesis and characterization of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles biofunctionalised with a monoclonal antibody anti-hCG”, Arruebo, M., et al., Adv. Funct. Mater., 17, 1473-79, (2007).
3. “Preparation of magnetic nanoparticles encapsulated by an ultra-thin silica shell via transformation of Fe-MCM-41”, Arruebo, M., et al. Chem. Mater., 20, 486-93, (2008).
|Nanoporous Films and Particles group|