Publication

Chelating agents as coating molecules for iron oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

Due to their high chemical affinity towards metal ions, chelating agents (CAs) have been used for decades for water purification, but also for protection against metal intoxication and in nanomedicine as linking molecules at the surface of nanoparticles. However, this strong chemical activity could also impact their colloidal behavior, which is essential for biomedical applications. Therefore, we coated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) with four CAs, differing in their number of active chemical groups, with variations from 2 to 5 dents containing carboxylic groups: iminodiacetic acid (IDA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). We found large differences between the CA-coated IONPs depending on the CA nature, especially regarding their agglomeration state and colloidal behavior, but also consequently their cellular uptake. Surprisingly, although CAs have been widely used for biomedical applications, CA-coated IONPs, especially IDA-and EDTA-coated IONPs, showed non-negligible toxicity. Moreover, for their application as contrast agents for MRI, we found that CA-coated IONPs displayed high r(2) relaxivities, which differed according to their agglomeration state. Overall, our study suggests that CAs, depending on their chemical nature, can induce agglomeration and toxicity, which could be harmful in a clinical setting.

About this result
This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.
Related concepts (34)
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), also called edetic acid after its own abbreviation, is an aminopolycarboxylic acid with the formula [CH2N(CH2CO2H)2]2. This white, water-soluble solid is widely used to bind to iron (Fe2+/Fe3+) and calcium ions (Ca2+), forming water-soluble complexes even at neutral pH. It is thus used to dissolve Fe- and Ca-containing scale as well as to deliver iron ions under conditions where its oxides are insoluble.
Nanoparticle
A nanoparticle or ultrafine particle is usually defined as a particle of matter that is between 1 and 100 nanometres (nm) in diameter. The term is sometimes used for larger particles, up to 500 nm, or fibers and tubes that are less than 100 nm in only two directions. At the lowest range, metal particles smaller than 1 nm are usually called atom clusters instead.
Silver nanoparticle
Silver nanoparticles are nanoparticles of silver of between 1 nm and 100 nm in size. While frequently described as being 'silver' some are composed of a large percentage of silver oxide due to their large ratio of surface to bulk silver atoms. Numerous shapes of nanoparticles can be constructed depending on the application at hand. Commonly used silver nanoparticles are spherical, but diamond, octagonal, and thin sheets are also common. Their extremely large surface area permits the coordination of a vast number of ligands.
Show more
Related publications (53)

Modulating the Surface Properties of Lithium Niobate Nanoparticles by Multifunctional Coatings Using Water-in-Oil Microemulsions

Sandrine Gerber, Alessandra Spada, Adrian Stefan Gheata, Manon Inès Noëlla Wittwer

Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as promising tools in biomedical applications, owing to their inherent physicochemical properties and their ease of functionalization. In all potential applications, the surface functionalization strategy is a key ...
2023

Molecular insights into the electrical double layer of colloidal oxide particles obtained through second harmonic scattering

Marie Bischoff

Photocatalytic applications play an essential role in the search for alternative energy sources and environmental decontamination techniques. It is of fundamental interest to understand on a molecular level the aqueous solid/liquid interface, where photoca ...
EPFL2022

Shape retaining self-healing metal-coordinated hydrogels

Esther Amstad, Alvaro Lino Boris Charlet, Raffaele Mezzenga

Metal-coordinated hydrogels are physical hydrogels entirely crosslinked by complexes between ligand decorated polymers and metal ions. The mechanical properties of these hydrogels strongly depend on the density and dynamics of metal-coordinated interaction ...
2021
Show more
Related MOOCs (1)
Water quality and the biogeochemical engine
Learn about how the quality of water is a direct result of complex bio-geo-chemical interactions, and about how to use these processes to mitigate water quality issues.

Graph Chatbot

Chat with Graph Search

Ask any question about EPFL courses, lectures, exercises, research, news, etc. or try the example questions below.

DISCLAIMER: The Graph Chatbot is not programmed to provide explicit or categorical answers to your questions. Rather, it transforms your questions into API requests that are distributed across the various IT services officially administered by EPFL. Its purpose is solely to collect and recommend relevant references to content that you can explore to help you answer your questions.