Fe-doped asphaltenes carbon dots for tumor magnetic resonance imaging.

This article focuses on the development and application of asphaltene-derived carbon dots (ACDs) complexed with iron (ACD-Fe) as a novel, low-cost, and biocompatible T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent for tumor imaging. The ACD-Fe complex leverages the enhanced hydrophilicity of ACDs to improve water molecule accessibility to Fe³⁺ centers, resulting in superior MRI contrast enhancement compared to free Fe³⁺ ions, with demonstrated biocompatibility in vitro and effective tumor imaging in vivo. Synthesized via a scalable and straightforward process using asphaltenes—a petroleum byproduct—the ACD-Fe complex offers an alternative to gadolinium- and manganese-based agents, addressing toxicity and cost concerns. The study highlights the potential of ACD-Fe for broader biomedical imaging applications and tumor image-guided therapy, as well as sensing uses in industrial contexts.