| خلاصه مقاله | Zeolites are important materials in the field of biomedical applications such as medical imaging and drug delivery [1]. The ability of different zeolite types such as ZSM-5, X, and NaA zeolites to use as a proper support for MRI contrast materials was investigated in our previous studies [2-4]. Zeolite Y is a molecular sieve with a faujasite aluminosilicate structure, three-dimensional pore structure and the sodalite cages, which form supercages [5]. In this study, we investigated the ability of Gd2O3@Zeolite Y nanocomposite to use as MRI contrast material. Gd2O3@Zeolite Y nanocomposite was synthesized using ion exchange method. The physicochemical analyses tests including XRD, SEM, and VSM were performed to consider the nanocomposite structure, size and morphology, and magnetic property, respectively. MRI was carried out to prepare T1-weighted images and Dicom works software was used to analyze the images data. MTT assay was performed to evaluate the nanocomposite effect on the cell viability. XRD results showed properly synthesis of the nanocomposite. Gd2O3@Zeolite Y nanocomposite was cytocompatible, and had spherical shape and paramagnetic property. The porous structure of zeolite Y provided the proper access of Gd2O3 nanoparticles to the water protons, leading to significant improvement in the MRI contrast. Gd2O3@Zeolite Y nanocomposite is potentially a good candidate to use as MRI T1 contrast material. |