Single-step colloidal processing of stable aqueous dispersions of ferroelectric nanoparticles for biomedical imaging

The biomedical applications of ferroelectric nanoparticles rely on the production of stable aqueous colloids. We report an implementation of the high energy ball milling method to produce and disperse ultrafine BaTiO3 nanoparticles in an aqueous media in a single step. This technique is low-cost, environmentally friendly and has the capability to control nanoparticle size and functionality with milling parameters. As a result, ultrafine nanoparticles with sizes as small as 6 nm can be produced. These nanoparticles maintain ferroelectricity and can be used as second harmonic generating nanoprobes for biomedical imaging. This technique can be generalized to produce aqueous nanoparticle colloids of other imaging materials.