Despite their frequent usages as contrast agents for in vivo MRI imaging, paramagnetic molecules continue to suffer from low resolution, physicochemical instability, and high toxicity. Herein, we present a molybdenum disulfide and gadolinium complex, as an alternative core-shell magnetic nanomaterial that exhibits enhanced paramagnetic property; 4.5-times longer water proton spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) when compared to commercial gadolinium contrast agents; as well as lowered toxicity, extended blood circulation time, increased stability, and desirable excretion characteristic. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed smooth core-shell nanoparticles 100 nm in size with a shell width of approximately 10 nm. These findings suggest that the synthesized nanomaterial possesses high potential as a positive contrast agent for the enhancement of MRI imaging.
Keywords: contrast agents; core−shell structure; enhanced T1 value; in vivo imaging enhanced excretion; molybdenum disulfide nanoparticle.