Polymer-endofullerene Fe@C60 complexes for biomedical applications

Abstract

Iron-containing endometallofullerenes being a special type of nanoparticles with encapsulated metal atom are perspective as novel contrast materials for tomography methods. In the present study the aqueous solutions of four complexes of variable composition between Fe@C60 and biocompatible polymers — dextrin and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) prepared in dimethylformamide, have been investigated. Dynamic light scattering has been applied for analysis of particles distribution in solutions and obtaining the characteristic dimension of them at different solute concentration. It was established the influence of Fe@C60 content and molecular mass of polymer-carrier on the stability of complexes. The compound Fe@C60—PVP of composition (28 : 72 mol. %) and of the polymer molecular mass 12 kDa is selected as appropriative for biomedical applications according to the criteria size/stability. Finally, the resistance of complexes in solution to gamma-irradiation of dose 5 kGray has been tested.