Surface-Tailored Iron Oxide Magnetic Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications

Iron Oxide Magnetic Nanomaterials (IOMNMs) are widely used biocompatible and FDA approved nanomaterials to develop numerous biomedical applications. However, bare IOMNMs have shown limited applications due to columbic forces that increase the agglomeration, resulting in increased size. Thus, modifying the surface charge and design of IOMNMs are of much interest while talking about their applications in highly developed medical technologies and biotechnologies inclusive of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) contrast agents, magnetic separation and immobilization of different proteins, antibodies, enzymes and several other biological substances. Usually, IOMNMs are modified with biocompatible functional groups like amine, carboxylic acid, hydroxyl group to enhance their bioavailability. The present article emphasizes possible synthetic approaches for tailored iron oxide nanoparticles and their surface chemistry, allowing both therapeutic and diagnostic applications (theranostic).