Synthesis of Fe₃O₄@Au Core–Shell Nanoparticles with Varying Thicknesses for Application in Computed Tomography Imaging

To enhance the resolution of medical images, core-shell Fe₃O₄@Au hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) with gold shells of varying thicknesses are developed. By optimizing synthesis conditions, nanoparticles with uniform size, clear core-shell structure, and high stability in biological environments are obtained. In vitro testing data shows that HNPs with a 5-7 nm-thick gold shell exhibits a high X-ray attenuation. The in vivo efficacy of the Fe₃O₄@Au HNPs is tested in liver and kidney tissues in a mouse model for study on drug kinetics. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of Fe₃O₄@Au HNPs in enhancing the contrast of computed tomography (CT) images, especially in the liver. Simultaneously, the clearance process of nanoparticles through the kidneys is also observed, opening up the prospect of applying these nanoparticles in image diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Overall, these hybrid particles are a promising candidate for CT imaging techniques.