ABSTRACT
Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are promising materials in the biomedical field due to their superparamagnetic behavior. In this chapter, first different techniques in view of shape- and size-controlled synthesis of IONPs, viz., coprecipitation, thermal decomposition, hydrothermal/solvothermal treatment, microemulsion, and aerosol/vapor technology, have been discussed briefly. Further, special features of IONPs, suitable surface functionalization strategies, and bioactivity of magnetic IONPs are elaborated. Finally, the efficacies of such functionalized biocompatible nanoparticles for various biomedical applications, viz., magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic particle imaging (MPI), hyperthermia, in-vivo drug delivery, and in-vitro bioseparation, are summed up concisely.
