Investigating the surface structure, including crystal surface and surface-coating ligands, of nanoparticulate T1 contrast agent may help to understand the T1 relaxation enhancement in vitro and in vivo. This study presents a novel strategy to develop high-performance T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents through optimizing the nanocrystal surface and the nanobio interface. Based on the optimized crystal surface, the novel manganese oxide nanocubes (MOCs) show significantly higher surface-to-volume ratio and an approximately threefold higher r1 value compared to traditional manganese oxide nanospheres. Concurrently, transferring MOCs into aqueous media by dopamine derivatization can avoid the oxidation of Mn(II) ions and provide abundant magnetic core. This optimized surface endows MOCs with a high chemical exchange efficiency during T1 relaxation. Of particular significance, a rationally designed pH-induced charge-switchable surfaces can be negatively charged and corona-free in blood and positively charged surface in tumor sites. This unique feature improves the circulation behavior of this intelligent T1 contrast agent in blood and increases cancer cell uptake to achieve accurate detection of solid tumor, holding great potential in aiding early and precise tumor diagnosis. This study provides a novel tool for sophisticated design of high-performance T1 MRI contrast agents in bioimaging applications.
