MoS₂–Gd Chelate Magnetic Nanomaterials with Core–Shell Structure Used as Contrast Agents in <i>in Vivo</i> Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Despite their frequent usages as contrast agents for <i>in vivo</i> MRI imaging, paramagnetic molecules continue to suffer from low resolution, physicochemical instability, and high toxicity. Herein, we present a molybdenum disulfide and gadolinium complex, as an alternative core–shell magnetic nanomaterial that exhibits enhanced paramagnetic property; 4.5-times longer water proton spin–lattice relaxation time (<i>T</i>₁) when compared to commercial gadolinium contrast agents; as well as lowered toxicity, extended blood circulation time, increased stability, and desirable excretion characteristic. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed smooth core–shell nanoparticles 100 nm in size with a shell width of approximately 10 nm. These findings suggest that the synthesized nanomaterial possesses high potential as a positive contrast agent for the enhancement of MRI imaging