One-Step Preparation of Magnetic Lipid Bubbles: Magnetothermal Effect Induces the Simultaneous Formation of Gas Nuclei and Self-Assembly of Phospholipids

Abstract

In recent years, enveloped micro-nanobubbles have garnered significant attention in research due to their commendable stability, biocompatibility, and other notable properties. Currently, the preparation methods of enveloped micro-nanobubbles have limitations such as complicated preparation process, large bubble size, wide distribution range, low yield, etc. There exists an urgent demand to devise a simple and efficient method for the preparation of enveloped micro-nanobubbles, ensuring both high concentration and a uniform particle size distribution. Magnetic lipid bubbles (MLBs) are a multifunctional type of enveloped micro-nanobubble combining magnetic nanoparticles with lipid-coated bubbles. In this study, MLBs are prepared simply and efficiently by a magneto internal heat bubble generation process based on the interfacial self-assembly of iron oxide nanoparticles induced by the thermogenic effect in an alternating magnetic field. The mean hydrodynamic diameter of the MLBs obtained was 384.9 ± 8.5 nm, with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.248 ± 0.021, a zeta potential of −30.5 ± 1.0 mV, and a concentration of (7.92 ± 0.46) × 10 9 bubbles/mL. Electron microscopy results show that the MLBs have a regular spherical stable core−shell structure. The superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and phospholipid layers adsorbed around the spherical gas nuclei of the MLBs, leading the particles to demonstrate commendable superparamagnetic and magnetic properties. In addition, the effects of process parameters on the morphology of MLBs, including phospholipid concentration, phospholipid proportiona, current intensity, magnetothermal time, and SPION concentration, were investigated and discussed to achieve controlled preparation of MLBs. In vitro imaging results reveal that the higher the concentration of MLBs loaded with iron oxide nanoparticles, the better the in vitro ultrasound (US) imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results. This study proves that the magneto internal heat bubble generation process is a simple and efficient technique for preparing MLBs with high concentration, regular structure, and commendable properties. These findings lay a robust foundation for the mass production and application of enveloped micronanobubbles, particularly in biomedical fields and other related domains.