Cover Picture: Elucidation of the Physicochemical Properties Ruling the Colloidal Stability of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles under Physiological Conditions (ChemNanoMat 3/2017)

Colloidal stability is a key parameter that determines the use of iron oxide nanoparticles in biomedical applications, and tightly depends on dispersion media and/or nanoparticle coating. Fifteen of the most-employed biocompatible coatings have been studied to elucidate the colloidal stability of iron oxide nanoparticles in buffer saline and human plasma. Surface charge and hydrophilicity rule the colloidal stability of nanoparticles when dispersed in high ionic strength and protein-rich media. More information can be found in the Full Paper by A. L. Cortajarena, F. J. Teran et al. on page 183 in Issue 3, 2017 (10.1002/cnma.201600333).