Titanium Dioxide - Phosphonate Assemblies as Medical Nanoprobes Ivan Řehoř PhD. Thesis Abstract: Multimodal imaging-therapeutic nanoprobe TiO2@RhdGd was prepared and successfully used for in- vitro and in-vivo cell tracking as well as for killing of cancer cells in-vitro. TiO2 nanoparticles, 12 nm in diameter, were used as a core for phosphonic acid modified functionalities, responsible for contrast in MRI and optical imaging. The phosphonic acid derivatives, used for surface modification, allows for grafting extraordinarily high loads of irreversibly adsorbed molecules of both types in one step. The prepared probe shows very high 1 H r1 relaxivity value as well as relaxivity density value, both crucial parameters for its use in MRI. The presence of fluorescent dye in its structure allows for its visualization by means of fluorescence microscopy. The applicability of the probe was studied, using three living systems - mesenchymal stem cells, cancer HeLa cells and T-lymphocytes. The probe did not exhibit toxicity in any of these systems and its long time storage in a lysosomal compartment was confirmed. Labeled cells were successfully visualized in-vitro by means of fluorescence microscopy and MRI. Consequent visualization of labeled cells in-vivo by means of fluorescence microscopy was also achieved....

Magnetic nanoparticles and molecules, in particular ferromagnetic noble metal nanoparticles, molecular magnet and single-molecule magnets (SMM), are perfect examples to investigate the role of quantum mechanics at the nanoscale. For example, SMMs are known to reverse their magnetization by quantum tunneling in the absence of thermal excitation and show a number of fundamental quantum mechanical manifestations, such as quantum interference effects. On the other hand, noble metal nanoparticles are found to behave ferromagnetically for diameters below a few nanometers. Some of these manifestations are still intriguing, and novel research approaches are necessary to advance towards a more complete understanding of these exciting nanoscale systems. In particular, the ability to study an isolated individual nanoscale system (i.e just one molecule or nanoparticle) is both challenging technologically and fundamentally essential. It is expected that accessing to the energy landscape of an isolated molecule/nanoparticle will allow unprecedented knowledge of the basic properties that are usually masked by collective phenomena when the systems are found in large ensembles or in their crystal form. Several approaches to this problem are currently under development by a number of research groups. For instance, some groups are developing deposition techniques to create patterned thin films of isolated magnetic nanoparticles and molecular magnets by means of optical lithography, low-energy laser ablation, or pulsed-laser evaporation or specific chemical functionalization of metallic surfaces with special molecular ligands. However, it is still a challenge to access the properties of an individual molecule or nanoparticle within a film or substrate. iv I have studied molecular nanomagnets and ferromagnetic noble metal nanoparticles by means of a novel experimental approach that mixes the chemical functionalization of nano-systems with the use of single-electron transistors (SETs). I have observed the Coulomb-blockade single-electron transport response through magnetic gold nanoparticles and single-molecule magnet. In particular, Coulomb-blockade response of a Mn4-based SET device recorded at 240 mK revealed the appearance of two diamonds (two charge states) with a clear switch between one and the other is indicative of a conformational switching of the molecule between two different states. The excitations inside the diamonds move with magnetic field. The curvature of the excitations and the fact of having them not going down to zero energy for zero magnetic field, indicated the presence of magnetic anisotropy (zero-field splitting) in the molecule. In addition, the high magnetic field slope of the excitations indicates that transitions between charge states differ by a net spin value equal to 9 (|∆S| = 9), as expected from the behavior of Mn4 molecules in their crystalline form. Anticrossings between different excitations are indicative of quantum superpositions of the molecular states, which are observed for the first time in transport measurements through and individual SMM.

Thesis (PhD (Chemistry and Polymer Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Living chains prepared by RAFT polymerization and NMP reactions using Z-carboxylate and Z-phosphate RAFT agents, and X-phosphate NMP initiators, were efficiently attached to the surface of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and used for the separation of dead chains formed in these polymerization reactions prior to the attachment of the RAFT agents and NMP initiators to the surface of MNPs. All the living chains that attach selectively to the surface of MNPs contained RAFT or NMP functionalities, had a low polydispersity index (PDI), and could be reactivated to form new polymer extensions or block copolymers with no detectable deviation from 100% efficiency. RAFT chains prepared by RAFT polymerization using the Z-carboxylate RAFT agent and an excess of free radical initiator were also attached to the surface of MNPs and separated in the presence of an external magnetic field. Separated RAFT-functional chains contained no dead chains formed by combination or disproportionation reactions, but a substantial amount of cross-terminated by-product with a low UV absorbance at 320 nm. The cross-termination of the intermediate radical formed in the RAFT polymerization reactions was also investigated in the monomer-excluded free radical reaction model of polystyryl benzyl-(4-carboxyl dithiobenzoate) and polystyryl ethyl-2-bromoisobutyrate. The Z-carboxylate 3- and 4-arm star polymers (formed by cross-termination reactions) were then efficiently attached to the surface of MNPs and separated from the remainder of the polymer solution. They were separated from MNPs and characterized by 1H and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, and MALDI-ToF-MS. Living chains prepared by a RAFT miniemulsion polymerization reaction using Z-carboxylate RAFT agent were attached to the surface of MNPs and used for the separation of all dead chains and uncontrolled high molecular weight polymer of secondary particle formations occur during a miniemulsion polymerization reaction prior to the attachment. Separated dead chains had high PDI values and contained a significant fraction of uncontrolled high molecular weight polymer that lacked RAFT functionality. Initiator-derived chains formed in RAFT polymerization reactions of styrene (St) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) using phosphate free radical (PFR) initiator were selectively attached to the surface of MNPs and separated from R-group-derived polymer chains in the presence of an external magnetic field. All separated initiator-derived chains contained large fractions of dead chains with weak UV absorbance, and which lacked RAFT functionality, and small fractions of RAFT polymer chains. The separated initiator-derived chains had higher PDI values than the as-prepared polymer in the polymerization of St, but lower PDI values than the as-prepared polymer in the polymerization of MMA. RAFT agents attached to the surface of MNPs by the Z group were used as mediating agents for the synthesis of polymers grafted to the surface of MNPs. The polymers grafted to the surface of MNPs were separated from the solution of the free polymer by applying an external magnetic field. The amounts of the polymers grafted to the surface of MNPs greatly increased as the number of RAFT agents attached to the surface of MNPs decreased. When ethyl acetate was used as solvent, it reached 65% by weight and 50% by number of chains. Separated polymers grafted to the surface of MNPs had high PDI values and contained RAFT functionality. Investigations into the kinetics of the RAFT-mediated polymerization reaction on the surface of MNPs revealed that the polymerization reaction mediated using a RAFT agent attached by its Z group to the surface of MNPs had a faster polymerization rate than that mediated using a free Z group RAFT agent. The molecular weight of the grafted polymer increased linearly with conversion, and the reaction rate was pseudo-first-order. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Lewende polimeerkettings, berei deur middel van RAFT-beheerde polimerisasie en NMP reaksies waarin Z-karboksilaat en Z-fosfaat RAFT-verbindings en 'n X-fosfaat NMP afsetter gebruik is, is geheg aan die oppervlaktes van magnetisenanopartikels (MNPs), en gebruik vir die skeiding van dooie kettings wat tydens die RAFT en NMP reaksies gevorm is. Alle lewende kettings wat aan die oppervlakte van die MNPs geheg is, is geskei van die oorblywende polimeeroplossing deur die aanwending van ‗n eksterne magnetise veld. Alle kettings wat selektief aan die oppervlaktes van die MNPs gekoppel is met RAFT of NMP funksionaliteit, het ‗n laë poliverspreidingswaarde (PDI) gehad en kon heraktiveer word om ‗n nuwe polimeerverlengings of blokkopolimere te vorm met geen merkbare afwyking van 100% doeltreffendheid nie. RAFT-kettings wat gedurende RAFT-polimerisasie met 'n Z-karboksilaat RAFT-agent en oormaat vrye-radikaalafsetter berei is, is ook geheg aan die oppervlaktes van MNPs en geskei in die teenwoordigheid van 'n eksterne magnetiese veld. Die geskeide RAFT-funksionele kettings het geen dooie kettings bevat nie (gevorm deur kombinasie reaksies), maar 'n aansienlike hoeveelheid ongekontroleerde hoë molekulêremassa polimeer (met lae UV absorpsie by 320 nm). Die kruis-beëindiging van die intermediêre radikaal wat gevorm is tydens die RAFT-proses is ondersoek in die monomeer-uitsluitende vrye-radikaalreaksiemodel van polistirielbensiel-4-karboksielditiobensoaat en polistirieletiel-2-bromoisobutiraat. Die Z-karboksilaat 3- en 4-arm sterpolimere (gevorm a.g.v. kruis-terminasiereaksies) is effektief geheg aan die oppervlaktes van MNPs en geskei van die res van die polimeeroplossing, en daarna gekarakteriseer met behulp van 1H en 13C KMR, en MALDI-ToF-MS. Lewende kettings, berei m.b.v. RAFT miniemulsiepolimerisasies met 'n Z-karboksilaat RAFT-agent, is geheg aan die oppervlaktes van MNPs en gebruik vir die skeiding van alle dooie kettings en sekondêre partikels wat tydens die reaksie voor die aanhegting gevorm het. Die geskeide dooie kettings wat agtergebly het, het 'n wye PDI getoon en het 'n aansienlike hoeveelheid ongekontroleerde hoë molekulêremassa polimeer, met geen RAFT-funksionaliteit nie, bevat. Afsetterafkomstigekettings wat gevorm is tydens die RAFT polimerisasiereaksies van stireen (St) en metielmetakrilaat (MMA) met 'n fosfaat-vrye vrye-radikaalafsetter is selektief geheg aan die oppervlaktes van MNPs en geskei van R-groep-afkomstige polimeerkettings in die teenwoordigheid van 'n eksterne magnetise veld. Alle geskeide afsetter-afkomstige kettings het 'n groot hoeveelheid dooie kettings gehad (met swak UV absorpsie) en met geen RAFT-funksionalilteit nie, en klein fraksies van RAFT-polimeerkettings. Die geskeide afsetter-afkomstige kettings het hoër PDI waardes gehad as die ('as-prepared') polimeer in die polimerisasie van St, maar laer PDI waardes as die ('as-prepared') polimeer in die polimerisasie van MMA. RAFT-verbindings wat aan die oppervlaktes van die MNPs geheg is deur middel van die Z-groep is as bemiddellingsagente (Eng: mediating agents) gebruik vir die sintese van polimere wat geënt is aan die oppervlakte aan MNPs. Die polimere wat aan die oppervlakte van die MNPs geënt is is geskei van die res van die polimeeroplossing deur die aanwending van ‗n eksterne magnetise veld. Die hoeveelhede van die polimere wat aan die oppervlaktes van die MNPs geënt is het sterk toegeneem namate die aantal RAFT-agente wat aan die oppervlaktes van MNPs geheg is afgeneem het. Wanneer etielasetaat as oplosmiddel gebruik is, was die waardes 55% m.b.t. gewig en 45% m.b.t. die aantal kettings. Die geskeide polimere wat aan die oppervlaktes van MNPs geënt is het hoë PDI getoon en het RAFT-funksionaliteit bevat. Die kinetika van die RAFT-beheerde polimerisasiereaksies van St, wat gebruik maak van ‗n RAFT-agent wat aan die oppervlakte van die MNPs geheg is deur middel van die Z-groep, is ook ondersoek. Die tempo van polimerisasie was vinniger in die geval waarin die RAFT-agent geheg is deur sy Z-groep aan die oppervlakte van die MNPs as die reaksie met 'n RAFT agent met 'n vrye Z-groep. Die molekulêremassas van die entpolimere het liniêr toegeneem met omsetting, en die reaksie was pseudo-eerste-orde.

The main goals of this research were to fabricate magnetic cobalt nanoparticles and study their structural, crystal structure, optical, and magnetic properties. Cobalt nanoparticles with average particle size 8.7 nm were fabricated by the method of high temperature reduction of cobalt salt utilizing trioctylphosphine as a surfactant, oleic acid as a stabilizer, and lithium triethylborohydride as a reducing reagent. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis confirmed the formation of cobalt nanoparticles. High resolution transmission electron microscopy images show that Co NPs form both HCP and FCC crystal structure. The blocking temperature of 7.6 nm Co NPs is 189 K. Above the blocking temperature, Co NPs are single domain and hence showed superparamagnetic behavior. Below the blocking temperature, Co NPs are ferromagnetic. Cobalt nanoparticles with a single-domain crystal structure support a sharp plasmon resonance at 280 nm. Iron nanoparticles with average particle size 4.8 nm were fabricated using chemical reduction method show plasmon resonance at 266 nm. Iron nanoparticles are ferromagnetic at 6 K and superparamagnetic at 300 K.

D. Tech (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences) Vaal University of Technology. / Trivalent arsenic (As(III)) and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) toxicity have necessitated a great deal of research into the remediation of contaminated water. The techniques applied including oxidation, coagulation-flocculation and ion exchange have suffered drawbacks due to the high cost of materials and equipment, complex operations and secondary pollution among others. Adsorption, however, remains a cost-effective solution in the remediation of contaminated water. The use of biosorbent materials further lowers the cost of the adsorption process and improves its eco-friendliness. These biomaterials, however, suffer some drawbacks as poor porosity, low adsorption capacities and mechanical strength thus require modifications to improve their applicability as biosorbents. In this work pine cone powder, a waste from pine trees, was used as a biosorbent for the removal of As(III) and Cr(VI) from water. The powder was pre-treated with Fenton’s reagent to oxidize some of the functional groups and provide more binding sites. Iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (magnetite) were incorporated into the pine cone matrix to form a magnetic composite with higher heavy metal affinity. The magnetite nanoparticles were also doped with manganese to improve their redox capacities and aid in the oxidation of the toxic As(III) to the less toxic As(V) and allow for improved binding. The adsorbents used in the study were therefore named as Fenton’s treated pine cone powder (FTP), pine cone -magnetite composite (FTP-MNP), magnetite nanoparticles (MNP), manganese doped magnetite nanoparticles (Mn MNP) and manganese doped pine cone-magnetite composite (Mn FTP-MNP). The prepared materials were fully characterized, and the adsorption process was optimized for both As(III) and Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution. After modification the surface area of the particles increased in the order Mn MNP>MNP>Mn FTP-MNP>FTP-MNP>FTP. Surface and Xray analysis confirmed the formation of magnetite by the presence of both ferric and ferrous ion states on the surface and characteristic diffraction peaks for magnetite. The adsorption data was fitted into isotherm and kinetic models and the nature of adsorption was determined from the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters. Equilibrium studies indicated that the adsorption followed Langmuir isotherm for all adsorbents and was thus monolayer in nature, further analysis indicated that chemisorption was the predominant type of adsorption with ion exchange being the predominant mechanism of adsorption. Spent adsorbents were tested for reusability and displayed excellent adsorption capacities when used for up to three times. Adsorption mechanism was evaluated using characterization techniques and the ion-exchange mechanism inferred from thermodynamic data was confirmed spectroscopically with redox reactions aiding in the removal of the pollutants from water. The introduction of competing anions in solution, lowered the adsorption efficiency of both arsenic and chromium on the adsorbent indicating that there was competition for adsorption sites.

Detection, imaging and quantification of gene expression in living cells can provide essential information on basic biological issues and disease processes. To establish this technology, we need to develop molecular probes and cellular delivery methods to detect specific RNAs in live cells with potential for in vivo applications. In this thesis work, the major focus is placed on the development of molecular beacons and biochemical approaches (peptides etc.) to deliver such probes to different cellular compartments. These approaches are then employed to study the expression and localization of mRNAs, co-localization of mRNAs with cytoplasmic organelles and cytoskeleton, and co-localization of RNA molecules in the nuclei of living cells. Further along this direction, we were interested in developing a better understanding of the functional states of mRNAs and the fluorescent signal observed in optical imaging experiments. To acheive this goal, we altered the translational process and studied its effect on the detection of mRNAs in living cells. The results of these studies indicate that the translational state of mRNAs favors the hybridization of molecular beacon with its target sequence. This study has also provided the evidence that molecular beacons are reversibly bound to target mRNAs and the repression of the translational process can prevent molecular beacon from binding to its target mRNA. Further, using these approaches in combination with FRAP based biophysical analysis, the dynamics of endogenous RNA in living cells are studied. These studies revealed the possible subcellular organization of RNA molecules and their dynamics in living cells. The results also demonstrated the role of cytoskeleton and ATP in the mobility of specific mRNAs in the cytoplasm. In addition to optical probes, studies have been carried out to develop an MRI contrast agent using iron-oxide nanoparticles for deep tissue molecular imaging. Specifically, we have functionalized magnetic nanoparticles that are water-soluble, mono-dispersed, biocompatible, and easily adaptable for multifunctional bioconjugation of probes and ligands. We have successfully delivered magnetic nanoparticle bioconjugates into live cells and demonstrated their effect on relaxivity. We have further studied the role of coating thickness for optimization of contrast and further enhance the fundamental understanding of contrast mechanisms.

Size and Shape Controlled Synthesis and Superparamagnetic Properties of Spinel Ferrites Nanocrystals Qing Song 216 pages Directed by Dr. Z. John Zhang The correlationship between magnetic properties and magnetic couplings is established through the investigations of various cubic spinel ferrite nanocrystals. The results of this thesis contribute to the knowledge of size and shape controlled synthesis of various spinel ferrites and core shell architectured nanocrystals as well as the nanomagnetism in spinel ferrites by systematically investigating the effects of spin orbital coupling, magnetocrystalline anisotropy, exchange coupling, shape and surface anisotropy upon superparamagnetic properties of spinel ferrite nanocrystals. A general synthetic method is developed for size and shape control of metal oxide nanocrystals. The size and shape dependent superparamagnetic properties are discussed. The relationship between spin orbital coupling and magnetocrystalline anisotropy is studied comparatively on variable sizes of spherical CoFe2O4 and Fe3O4 nanocrystals. It also addresses the effect of exchange coupling between magnetic hard phase and soft phase upon magnetic properties in core shell structured spinel ferrite nanocrystals. The role of anisotropic shapes of nanocrystals upon self assembled orientation ordered superstructures are investigated. The effect of thermal stability of molecular precursors upon size controlled synthesis of MnFe2O4 nanocrystals and the size dependent superparamagnetic properties are described.

M. Tech. (Chemistry Department, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences) Vaal University of Technology. / Benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) are water pollutants that appear very often in chemical and petrochemical wastewaters due to gasoline leakage from storage tanks and pipelines. These BTX compounds can cause adverse health effects on humans even at very low concentrations. Amongst the available pollutant removal methods from wastewater, adsorption has been used due to its ease of operation, simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Different adsorbents have been used for BTX removal, however the use of Magnetite-organic acid composites as an adsorbent seems to offer a much cheaper alternative. This work seeks to develop a one-step microwave synthesis and optimization of magnetite-oleic (MNP-OA) and magnetite-palmitic (MNP-PA) acid) composites. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the magnetite-organic acid composites. The optimum conditions estimated for MNP-OA acid composite were 78.3 % Fe content, 1561.9 S/cm conductivity, 82.2, 84.1, 85.3 mg/g for BTX adsorption capacity. The MNP-PA composite were 75.6 % Fe content, 1325.66 S/cm conductivity, 60.55, 64.47, 63.06 mg/g for BTX adsorption capacity. The materials were characterized, and the adsorption process was optimized for BTX removal from aqueous solution. X-ray analysis confirmed the formation of magnetite by the presence of both ferric and ferrous ion states on the surface. It was noted that after modification, the magnetite-organic acids characteristics peaks became broad and the height of the peaks decreased indicating that surface modification with organic acid controls the crystallinity of the material. The average cystalline size of MNP, MNP-OA, and MNP-PA composites were 19.7, 17.1 and 17.9 nm. FTIR analysis confirmed the target materials were produced and also to determine if the organic acids were imobilised on the surface of the magnetite. TEM images presented that the MNP, MNP-OA, and MNP-PA composites were spherical in shape with particle average sizes of 18.4 ± 0.5, 15.6 ± 0.5 and 16.5 ± 0.5 nm. The magnetite-organic acids show the particles with better isolated as compared to that of the MNP. The BET isotherms of the materials were described by a type IV characteristic related to uniform mesoporous materials. The magnetic saturation value for MNP, MNP-OA, and MNP-PA composites were 62.9, 59.0 and 51.0 emu/g. The decrease in magnetization was explained by the presence of the non-magnetic layer on magnetite surface. The pHpzc of MNP, MNP-OA, and MNP-PA composites were 6.9, 6.4 and 6.1. The decrease in pHpzc aftern modification was due to the charging acid-base interaction mechanism of metal oxide nanoparticles. The optimum pH for the adsorption of BTX onto MNP, MNP-OA, and MNP-PA composites was determined to be pH 7 for benzene, pH 8 for toluene and xylene. Among the three pollutants, xylene had the highest adsorption capacity followed by toluene and benzene. The optimum adsorbent dose for the adsorbents for the adsorption process was 0.1 g/dm3. The effect of time on the uptake of BTX onto MNP, MNP-OA, and MNP-PA composites show that initial adsorption of BTX occured between 0 and 3 min of contact time. The effect of initial concentration results shows the initial concentration of BTX increases from 100 to 350 mg/dm3 with an increase in adsorption capacity. The results suggest that the adsorption process is controlled by concentration driving force. The experimental data was fitted to the pseudo-first and pseudo-second-order kinetic models for all adsorbents and all pollutants. The pseudo-second-order models showed good correlation as compared to the first-pseudo model. Desorption studies for benzene, toluene and xylene using the pure magnetite, magnetite-palmitic and magnetite oleic acid composites indicate adsorption mrchanism can be explained in relation to acid–base chemistry. Electron donation from the phenyl ring of each benzene, toluene and xylene compound to surface iron atoms of magnetite has been suggested. The CH3OH and H2O desorbing agents were used and regeneration using five cycles show that the percentage desorption decreses from Benzene < Toluene < Xylene. The reduction in adsorption capacity after the cycles are attributed to decomposition of the adsorbents active sites and mass loss of the sample.

Most developing countries are faced with drinking water problems, with conditions becoming more severe due to water pollution. Meeting the growing demands for clean water in most countries, there are difficult challenges as the availability and supply of drinkable water are diminishing. Due to economic and environmental concerns, development of additional physical means for the removal of organic compounds from wastewater using permanent magnets, electromagnetic coils, electrodes and ultrasonic pretreatment is desirable. Improving the adsorption and separation process, magnetic field exposure method has progressively drawn consideration. Magnetic field exposure method has demonstrated its capacity for increasing the adsorptive elimination of contaminants from water as static magnetization is suitable, simple and cost-effective. The polypyrrole magnetic nanocomposite use for adsorption experiments influenced by exter-nal magnetic field was prepared using the in-situ polymerization method, which was charac-terized using TEM, SEM, EDX, XRD, BET, FTIR, VSM, and ESR spectrophotometers. The magnetic nanocomposite (PPy/Fe3O4) was observed to have an average particle size of 10 nm with the elementary composition of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, chloride and iron. The magnetic nanocomposite had a crystalline structure of face-centred cubic lattice of Fe3O4, an adsorption-desorption isotherm shape indicating a typical type-IV mesoporous material with a surface area of 28.77 m2/g. Characteristic peaks of Fe3O4 and PPy were also observed using FTIR spectro-photometer. From the VSM and ESR characterization, the synthesized superparamagnetic ma-terial was shown to have a saturation magnetization of 23 emu/g and an effective g-value of 2.25 g which was attributed to Fe3+ spin interaction. An enhanced removal of Cr(VI), fluoride and congo red dye were observed under the influence of magnetic field, with parameters like pH, adsorbent dosage, the initial concentration of ad-sorbate, magnetic field and magnetic exposure time been varied. The enhanced adsorption of contaminants using magnetic field is attributed to the increase in the magnetic field induced on the particles over a magnetic exposure time, resulting in the rotating particles forming aggre-gates due to the increased magnetic force and torque on the particles from the PSV results. This leads to increase in the chain collision and area of particle interaction with the aqueous solution of hexavalent chromium, fluoride and congo red dye. / Physics / Ph. D. (Physics)

This thesis provides several nanomaterial systems that can be used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and for optical fluorescence imaging. Nanoparticle systems described in this thesis fall under three categories: (a) graphene oxide-nanoparticle composites for MRI contrast agent application, (b) core-shell nanoparticles for MRI contrast agent application and (c) nanoparticle systems for both MRI and optical fluorescence imaging. In the case of graphene oxide based nano-composites, the following observations were made: (i) in the case of graphene oxide-Fe3O4 nanoparticle composite, it was observed that high extent of oxidation of the graphene oxide and large spacing between the graphene oxide sheets containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles provides the optimum structure for yielding a very high transverse proton relaxivity value, (ii) in the case of graphene oxide-Gd2O3 nanoparticle composite, it was observed that this composite exhibits high value for both longitudinal and transverse relaxivity values making it a potential materials for multi-contrast study of pathologies with a single agent, (iii) in the case of graphene oxide-CoFe2O4 nanoparticle composites, it was observed that an increase in the reflux time of the reaction mixture containing this composite led to appreciable variations in the proton relaxivity values. Transverse relaxivity value of the water protons increased monotonically with increase in the reflux time. Whereas, the longitudinal relaxivity value initially increased and then decreased with increase in the reflux time. In the case of coreshell nanoparticles for MRI contrast agent application two different core-shell systems were investigated. They are MnFe2O3-Fe3O4 core-shell nanoparticles and CoFe2O4-MnFe2O4 coreshell nanoparticles. Investigations of both the core-shell nanoparticle systems revealed that the proton relaxivity value obtained in the dispersion of the core-shell nanoparticles was considerably greater than the proton relaxivity value obtained in the presence of single phase nanoparticles of the core and shell phases. Very high value of transverse relaxivity in the case core-shell nanoparticles was due to the large magnetic inhomogeneity created by the core-shell nanoparticles in the water medium surrounding it. In the case of nanoparticle systems for both MRI and optical fluorescence imaging, two different systems were investigated. They were CoFe2O4-ZnO core-shell nanoparticles and Gd doped ZnS nanoparticles [Zn1-xGdxS, x= 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3] formed on graphene oxide sheets or coated with chitosan. In the case of CoFe2O4-ZnO core-shell nanoparticles it was observed that fluorescent CoFe2O4-ZnO core-shell nanoparticles with the unique geometry in which CoFe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles agglomerates were present within larger sized hollow ZnO capsules yields very high value of transverse proton relaxivity when compared to the proton relaxivity value exhibited by the individual CoFe2O4-ZnO coreshell nanoparticles. In the case of Gd doped ZnS nanoparticles, two different systems were synthesized and the values of the longitudinal and transverse proton relaxivity obtained were compared. These systems were (i) graphene oxide- Zn1-xGdxS (x= 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) nanoparticle composites and (ii) chitosan coated Zn1-xGdxS (x= 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) nanoparticles. It was observed that Gd doped ZnS nanoparticles in both cases exhibit both longitudinal and transverse relaxivity values. The relaxivity values showed a clear dependence on the composition of the nanoparticles and the nanoparticle environment (presence and absence of graphene oxide). It was also observed that Gd doped ZnS nanoparticle can be used for florescence imaging.