Iron Oxide Nanoparticles – Exclusively Paramagnetic

Nanoparticles are basically just smaller particles of various chemicals and objects. They are a very intriguing concept because they have the same properties as their larger counterpart. Scientists are constantly working on discovering features and application of them. They are now being used in different ways in the biological, chemical and medical industries.

Iron is a common metal easily available throughout the world. Even in its pure form it has many uses in our everyday life, it is present in water and also in our blood. Iron is an important chemical of the blood as it helps to transfer oxygen throughout the body.

When iron comes in contact with water or dampness, it rusts. Iron oxide is formed when iron rusts. Iron oxide nanoparticles consist of maghemite or magnetite particles with diameters ranging from 1 and 100 nanometer.

In the recent years researchers have stated these nanoparticles can be useful in the field in magnetic data storage, biosensing, drug-delivery as well as in biomedical imaging and catalytic applications.

The magnetic properties of Iron are a well known fact, but iron oxide is less magnetic than iron. Due to this Iron oxide nanoparticles are called paramagnetic. The paramagnetic properties of these particles are similar to the magnetic properties of iron. This paramagnetic property helps the nanoparticles reach deeper within where it is impossible for normal particles to reach.

Since nanoparticles have a very smaller surface area, their surface to volume ratio increases drastically. Thus this results in allowing a considerably higher binding capacity. Thus magnetic Nanoparticles like nano particles of iron oxide which measure between 2 and 20 nm display super paramagnetism. This property provides additional stability for magnetic nanoparticles in solutions.

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Useful In The Treatment Of Cancer

There are several methods to produce Iron oxide nanoparticles, the methods have to be chosen keeping in mind the desired shape, size, structure, distribution etc. as the production method usually effects these parameters. The Production method also to great extent effects and determines the distribution and type of structural defects or impurities in the particles. All these factors affect magnetic behavior of the nano particles.

Researchers are now working to develop new production techniques which can produce these nano particles in uniform size and shape consistently.

Iron Oxide Powder Or Nanoparticles Are Used On A Large Scale In Digital Imaging Systems

Also due to their magnetic properties they have an interesting application in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), researchers have discovered that it is possible to get a better image during an MRI if paramagnetic nanoparticles are used. Thus researchers have now started using these nanoparticles by attaching them to the object of which the image is to be taken. These nanoparticles are coated with chemicals which can attract tumor, thus resulting in better MRI image which in turn helps getting better diagnosis and treatment.

Apart from being used in MRIs, the paramagnetic nanoparticles of iron oxide are used in many other medical areas such drug delivery.