Tailoring inter-core distance of clustered SPIONs using silica spacers for enhanced magnetic particle imaging (MPI)

Horno, Elena Urena, Mores, Alexi J, Owens, Lewis D, Maguire, Mahon L ORCID: 0009-0004-5578-7231, Poptani, Harish ORCID: 0000-0002-0593-3235, O'Brien, Liam ORCID: 0000-0002-0136-8603 and Giardiello, Marco ORCID: 0000-0003-0560-4711 (2026) Tailoring inter-core distance of clustered SPIONs using silica spacers for enhanced magnetic particle imaging (MPI) NANOSCALE, 18 (19). pp. 10029-10035. ISSN 2040-3364, 2040-3372

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Abstract

An emulsion-based self-assembly strategy for the formation of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPION) clusters with precisely tunable silica spacers is reported. Systematic control of the silica shell thickness enables modulation of magnetic inter-core spacing within the clusters. This results in a pronounced enhancement in Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) signal generation, attributed to a combination of enhanced long-range magnetic dipole–dipole coupling interaction, the suppression of short-range exchange-like coupling interaction and the passivation of SPION surface spin disorder. The interplay between effects gives rise to an increase in harmonic content of clustered core@shell particles compared with their non-clustered counterparts, resulting in brighter MPI images.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	40 Engineering, 51 Physical Sciences, 4003 Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Bioengineering, Biomedical Imaging
Divisions:	Faculty of Science & Engineering Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Physical Sciences Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Physical Sciences > Chemistry
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	16 Apr 2026 10:03
Last Modified:	02 Oct 2026 21:59
DOI:	10.1039/d6nr00223d
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3197995
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