Magnetic Nanoparticle Characterization Using the iEM Platform

Magnetic nanoparticles are nanomaterials composed of magnetic elements, such as iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganese, gadolinium, and their chemical compounds. Because of their nanoscale size, superparamagnetic properties, these nanoparticles have great potential in a variety of applications, including drug delivery in the medical field. In order to promote magnetic nanoparticle applications in drug delivery, accurate sample characterization is needed but technically demanding. Here, we are offering high-quality imaging techniques to analyze magnetic nanoparticles, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Magnetic Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery

As one of the most promising materials in biomedical research, magnetic materials have been widely studied in recent years. Magnetic nanoparticles have many amazing physical properties, including superparamagnetism, high specific surface area, and so on. Among them, iron oxides nanoparticles are the most common natural magnetic nanomaterial in vivo. Other engineered magnetic nanoparticles, such as manganese oxide and cobalt ferrite may also be found in biological substrates as drug delivery systems.

The physical properties of magnetic nanoparticles depend on the method of synthesis and chemical structure. Magnetic nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetism due to thermal effects, which makes them non-hysteresis and zero coercivity. When nanoparticles are in this state, an external magnetic field can magnetize them; When the magnetic field is removed, there is no magnetization. This property makes magnetic nanoparticles an excellent method for targeted drug delivery. Magnetic nanoparticles have important implications in drug delivery for cancer treatment, delivering drugs to target sources or tumors, and providing efficient gene delivery systems. Moreover, the nanometric dimensions of magnetic materials offer great potential in surface engineering and functionalization. Surface enhancement and functionalization promote their biomedical applications. In addition to targeted drug delivery, there are other applications of magnetic nanoparticles, such as diagnostics, sensors, cell labeling, and magnetic field assisted radionuclide therapy.

Characterization of Magnetic Nanoparticles at the iEM Platform

The characterization of nanoparticles, including magnetic nanoparticles, has always been a technically difficult challenge for researchers, requiring multifunctional instruments to meet changing application requirements. At iEM Platform, we apply advanced electron microscopy(EM) technology and corresponding software to meet a wide range of nanoparticle research demands. Here, magnetic nanoparticles are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

 Creative Biostructure" solutions for magnetic nanoparticle characterization, including,

• Basic characterization of magnetic nanoparticles

The morphology, crystallinity, size distribution, composition of magnetic nanoparticles can be obtained at our integrated EM platform. SEM analysis is applied to confirm the morphology and size of magnetic nanoparticles. TEM and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) are employed to provide detailed structural information and the growth direction of the nanoparticles.

• Characterization of magnetic nanoparticles in biological matrices (cells and tissues).

Compared to biological substrates such as carbonaceous cells or tissue materials, magnetic nanoparticles are darker due to their high quality and high crystallinity. Using HRTEM, we can draw conclusions about cell internationalization, membrane association, nanoparticle aggregation state, and even atomic-scale information about nanoparticle degradation.

If you have any further questions about our solutions or platform, please feel free to contact us!