Fig. 2
Characterization of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). a Schematic showing MSNs as synthesized, with Gd2O3 incorporated into silica matrix, and surface and pore walls functionalized with tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC). As needed, particles are also functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol). b Powder X-ray diffraction patterns of Gd2O3-MSNs. Intense peak at 2.5 2θ characteristic of hexagonally arranged pores in MSNs, further evidenced by TEM of a particle (c). Visualized particles had uniform size distribution and showed no formation of aggregates. d Hydrodynamic size distribution of Gd2O3-TRITC-MSNs measured by dynamic light scattering. Primary peak has mean particle size of 177 nm. DLS dynamic light scattering