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

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 Bi2O3 nanoparticles was accomplished by coating these core nanoparticles with human serum albumin (HSA), via a precipitation process. The formed Bi2O3/HSA core-shell nanoparticles were of 15.2 ± 3.5 nm diameter. Elemental analysis measurements indicated that the bismuth weight % of the Bi2O3/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 Bi2O3/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.