ABSTRACT
This chapter gives an insight into the chemical and physical differences and opportunities that arise when considering high-magnetic-moment metal nanoparticles for clinical applications. Thereby, we describe synthetic routes for carbon-coated metallic nanomaterials, their magnetic properties (ferromagnetic with much increased saturation magnetizations) and their chemical inertness. Since the particle surfaces are essentially carbon, surface chemistry to the nanoparticle is possible via strong C–C bonds. Additionally, the chemical inertness of the particles allows surface transformations under harsh chemical conditions to yield a broad and highly adjustable scope of available surface functionalities. First applications of these nanoparticles are described, in which the intrinsic advantages of the high magnetic moment is exploited. These involve increased contrast in magnetic resonance imaging, naked-eye visible bacteria detection and endotoxin removal from sepsis patients.
