Photothermal response of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Background and Objective: Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have been used as MRI contrast agents in medical imaging. The purpose of this study was to explore the photothermal response of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Absorbance, temperature increase, and optical path length change of solutions of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, SPIO and MION, in response to a 532 nm pulsed laser irradiation were measured. Results: Both SPIO and MION showed absorption at 532 nm, temperature increase, and optical path length change. SPIO and MION underwent selective heating due to absorption of laser energy (532 nm). Conclusion: Temperature increase and optical path length change of SPIO and MION in response to 532 nm pulsed laser irradiation demonstrate a potential application of these particles in biomedical imaging. For further study, additional experiments applying the photothermal response of SPIO and MION in tissues are required.