Solvothermal synthesis and characterization of ytterbium/iron mixed oxide nanoparticles with potential functionalities for applications as multiplatform contrast agent in medical image techniques

Abstract

A solvothermal route to prepare Glutathione capped hybrid ytterbium/iron oxide nanoparticles with potential applications as multiplatform contrast agent in medical image techniques has been developed. The influence of ytterbium/iron molar ratio used as precursor, as well as the degree of the autoclave filling on the structural and morphological characteristics of the obtained nanoparticles has been extensively studied. Although all nano -particles present similar composition, with YbFeO3 being the majority phase, size and morphology of the as synthetized nanoparticles are highly influenced by the critical temperature and by the over-saturation reached during the solvothermal process. We have demonstrated that glutathione properly functionalizes the hybrid nanoparticles, increasing their colloidal stability and decreasing their cytotoxicity. Additionally, they show good imaging in magnetic resonance and X-ray computerized tomography, thereby indicating promising potential as a dual contrast agent. This work presents, for the first time, glutathione functionalized ytterbium/iron oxide nanoparticles with potential applications in Biomedicine.