Iron oxide nanoparticle surface (IONP surface)

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), primarily composed of magnetite (Fe3O4) or maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3), are synthetic nanomaterials widely utilized in medicine as contrast agents and therapeutic platforms [6, 9]. The surface of these nanoparticles is a critical interface that dictates their colloidal stability, biocompatibility, and interaction with the biological environment [1, 2]. In clinical practice, IONPs like ferumoxytol are used to treat iron deficiency anemia or as superparamagnetic contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect lesions in the liver and lymph nodes [11, 14]. The surface can be engineered with various coatings (e.g., PEG, dextran) and targeting ligands (e.g., antibodies, peptides) to facilitate site-specific drug delivery and minimize off-target effects [8, 10]. Beyond imaging, IONPs can be used for magnetic hyperthermia, where an alternating magnetic field induces the particles to generate localized heat for tumor ablation [6, 10]. Additionally, the surface-mediated Fenton reaction can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), contributing to chemodynamic therapy in oncology [4, 9]. However, safety concerns include potential oxidative stress and hypersensitivity reactions to surface coatings [15, 17].

Other names

SPION surfaceSuperparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle surfaceMagnetite surfaceMaghemite surfaceUSPION surfaceMagnetic nanoparticle surface

Shortening of T2/T1 relaxation times in MRI; conversion of magnetic energy into heat (hyperthermia); release of iron ions for erythropoiesis; surface-mediated catalysis of ROS via Fenton reaction.