Gadolinium-Incorporated Carbon Nanodots for <i>T</i>₁-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The design and development of contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with improved chemical stability higher contrasting capability clinical translation compared to conventional are still great interest. In this study, a facile universal approach was explored controllable functionalization red-emissive carbon nanodots (RCNDs) diethylenetriaminepentaacetic anhydride (DTPA) chelation gadolinium. A series accurate characterizations were used control each step the synthesis. did not alter band gap nanodots, preserving their inherent far-red fluorescence. as-prepared RCND-DTPA-Gd displayed high colloidal negligible Gd leakage. also showed better relaxivity than commercial MRI agents. had good biocompatibility in vivo even at doses. systemically injected found be efficiently excreted through renal route, feature that further minimizes potential toxicity risks. All these properties suggest can well designed as efficient carriers Gd, resulting tools dual MRI/fluorescence functional probes applications. described here could pave pathway flexible strategy small-sized nanoparticles including dots, rendering them more versatile. This work is expected promote future into trials.