X-ray imaging of newly-developed gadolinium compound/silica core–shell particles

A preparation method for gadolinium compound (Gd) nanoparticles coated with silica (Gd/SiO₂) is proposed. Gd nanoparticles were prepared with a homogeneous precipitation method at 80 °C using 1.0 × 10⁻³ M Gd(NO₃)₃ and 0.5 M urea in the presence of 1.0 g/L stabilizer. Among stabilizers examined. Sodium n-dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was suitable as the stabilizer for preparing small Gd nanoparticles, and consequently Gd nanoparticles with a size of 46.2 ± 12.4 nm were prepared using the SDS. Silica-coating of the Gd nanoparticles was performed by a Stöber method at room temperature using 0.013 M TEOS and 2.0 × 10⁻³ M NaOH in water/1-propanol solution in the presence of 1.0 × 10⁻³ M Gd nanoparticles, which resulted in production of Gd/SiO₂ particles with an average size of 64.2 ± 14.4 nm. The Gd/SiO₂ particles were surface-modified with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and succinic anhydride. It was confirmed by measurement of electrophretic light scattering that amino group or carboxyl group was introduced onto the Gd/SiO₂ particles. The gadolinium concentration of 1.0 × 10⁻³ M in the as-prepared colloid solution was increased up to a gadolinium concentration of 0.4 M by centrifugation. The core–shell structure of Gd/SiO₂ particles was undamaged, and the colloid solution was still colloidally stable, even after the concentrating process. The concentrated Gd/SiO₂ colloid solution showed an X-ray image with contrast as high as a commercial Gd complex contrast agent. Internal organs in a mouse could be imaged injecting the concentrated colloid solution into it.