Synthesis and Characterization of Superparamagnetic Polyurethane for Advanced MPI Applications

Abstract

Magnetically traceable polymer composites have gained increasing attention for biomedical applications. They are particularly relevant for designing materials that can be non-invasively detected and localized using magnetic particle imaging (MPI) or analyzed using magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS). Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are of particular interest due to their excellent magnetic properties, biocompatibility, and tunable surface chemistry. The incorporation of SPIONs into polymeric matrices such as polyurethane (PU) enables the creation of flexible, biocompatible, and magnetically active materials. Polyurethane is well-established in medical device manufacturing due to its favorable mechanical and chemical properties. However, the reproducible embedding of SPIONs within PU and the preservation of both magnetic and mechanical performance remain significant challenges. This study aimed to develop a systematic approach for integrating SPIONs into PU, focusing on reproducible synthesis, structural characterization, and magnetic evaluation of the resulting nanocomposites.