This study aims to explore the potential of polyaspartic acid grafted dopamine copolymer (PAsp-g-DA) chelated Fe3+ for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visual photothermal therapy. Polyaspartic acid grafted copolymer of covalently grafted dopamine and polyethylene glycol (PAsp-g-DA/PEG) was obtained by the ammonolysis reaction of poly succinimide (PSI), and then chelated with Fe3+ in aqueous solution. The relaxivity in vitro, magnetic resonance imaging enhancement in vivo and photothermal conversion effect at 808 nm were investigated. The results showed that polymeric iron coordination had good near-infrared absorption and photothermal conversion properties, good magnetic resonance enhancement effect, and good longitudinal relaxation efficiency under different magnetic field intensities. In summary, this study provides a new magnetic resonance visual photothermal therapeutic agent and a new research idea for the research in related fields.
