Road Map for the Use of Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy in the Study of Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles.

Abstract

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is gaining increasing recognition in research on various nanostructures. In the case of iron oxide nanoparticles, EPR measurements offer the possibility of determining the magnetic phase and the exact type (Fe₃O₄, γ-Fe₂O₃, α-Fe₂O₃, or a combination) of the core material. Furthermore, the EPR technique enables the study of relaxation processes, estimation of the effective and surface anisotropy constants, and assessment of the influence of sample aging on the magnetic properties of nanoparticles. The scope of the information obtained can be further expanded by utilizing spin labeling of polymer-coated nanoparticles. By analyzing the signals from the attached nitroxide, one can determine certain properties of the coating and its interactions with the environment (e.g., body fluids, cells, tissues) and also perform imaging of nanoparticles in various media. In some cases, EPR can help monitor the encapsulation of active substances and their release processes. Unfortunately, despite the enormous potential, not all of the possibilities offered by EPR are routinely used in nanoscience. Therefore, the present article aims not only to present the current applications and existing trends but also to indicate directions for future EPR research, constituting a road map.