In situ embedding dual-Fe nanoparticles in synchronously generated carbon for the synergistic integration of magnetic resonance imaging and drug delivery

In situ incorporating versatile magnetic iron nanoparticles into ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) by means of synthetic methodology for functional integration is a great challenge. Inspired by the phenomenon of uniovular twins in nature, a homometallic [Fe(9)(μ(3)-O)(4)(O(3)PPh)(3)(O(2)CCMe(3))(13)] ({Fe(9)P(3)}) cluster was synthesized and used as the ovulum to in situ produce dual-Fe nanoparticle (γ-Fe(2)O(3) and Fe(PO(3))(3))-functionalized OMC (dual-Fe/OMC). In vitro magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies showed a longitudinal relaxation (r(1)) and transverse relaxation (r(2)) of 9.74 and 26.59 mM(−1) s(−1) with a r(2)/r(1) ratio of 2.73 at 0.5 T. The MRI performances were further examined by mouse model with a subcutaneous HeLa tumor. In addition, the low cytotoxicity, considerable loading capacity and delivery of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) were also studied in vitro. These results demonstrate the feasibility of the concept of uniovular twins in the one-pot preparation of dual-Fe/OMC for functional integration.