Synthesis and characterization of Bi₂O₃/HSA core‐shell nanoparticles for X‐ray imaging applications

Abstract Bismuth oxide nanoparticles of 12.1 ± 3.0 nm diameter were prepared by thermal decomposition of bismuth acetate dissolved in ethylene glycol in the presence of an oxidizing agent. Functionalization and stabilization of the hydrophobic Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles was accomplished by coating these core nanoparticles with human serum albumin (HSA), via a precipitation process. The formed Bi 2 O 3 /HSA core‐shell nanoparticles were of 15.2 ± 3.5 nm diameter. Elemental analysis measurements indicated that the bismuth weight % of the Bi 2 O 3 /HSA core‐shell nanoparticles is 72.9. The crystalline structure of these nanoparticles was examined by XRD. The radiopacity of these nanoparticles was demonstrated in vitro and in vivo by a CT scanner. In ovo and in vivo trials proved the safety of these Bi 2 O 3 /HSA core‐shell nanoparticles. In the future, we plan to extend this study particularly for molecular imaging applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 101B: 131–138, 2013.