Synthesis and Functionalization of Highly Monodispersed Iron and Core/Iron Oxide Shell Magnetic Particles With Broadly Tunable Diameter

Abstract

Provided are methods for preparing iron nanoparticles and to iron nanoparticles produced by those methods. The invention also provides methods for coating the iron nanoparticles with oxides and functionalizing the iron nanoparticles with organic and polymeric ligands. Additionally, the invention provides methods of using such iron nanoparticles.

1 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . Iron nanoparticles made by a process comprising reacting a Fe 2+  salt with a reducing agent in the presence of a polymer surfactant and a base. 
     
     
         24 . The iron nanoparticles of  claim 23 , further comprising a ligand on the iron nanoparticles. 
     
     
         25 . The iron nanoparticles of  claim 24 , wherein the ligand is an acrylate. 
     
     
         26 . The iron nanoparticles of  claim 23 , further comprising at least one shell on the nanoparticles. 
     
     
         27 . The iron nanoparticles of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one shell comprises a metal oxide. 
     
     
         28 . The iron nanoparticles of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one shell comprises silica. 
     
     
         29 . The iron nanoparticles of  claim 23 , that are embedded in a polymeric matrix. 
     
     
         30 . The iron nanoparticles of  claim 29 , wherein the polymeric matrix comprises a polyacrylate. 
     
     
         31 . The iron nanoparticles of  claim 23 , linked to a drug. 
     
     
         32 . A method of treating a condition that responds to a drug, comprising administering an effective amount of the iron nanoparticles linked to the drug of  claim 31 . 
     
     
         33 . The iron nanoparticles of  claim 23 , wherein the iron nanoparticles are part of a dental restoration. 
     
     
         34 . A method of treating a condition that benefits from hyperthermia, comprising administering to an animal in need thereof the iron nanoparticles of  claim 23 , and exposing a portion of the animal to a magnetic field, thereby concentrating the iron nanoparticles to the portion exposed to the magnetic field, and exposing the portion of the animal to an excitation source, thereby inducing excitation of the iron nanoparticles and localized hyperthermia. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the condition is a tumor and the portion of the animal exposed to the magnetic field comprises the tumor.