A novel approach for rapid green synthesis of nearly mono-disperse iron oxide magnetic nanocubes with remarkable surface magnetic anisotropy density for enhancing hyperthermia performance

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles have received considerable attention because of their fascinating applications in nano-catalysts, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), drug delivery and hyperthermia. The development of robust techniques of their syntheses became of paramount concern for enhancing their magnetic properties. This would allow their use as a clinical tool instead of the conventional materials. Herein, for the first time, we report a simple but efficient and green method to develop nearly monodisperse iron oxide nanocubes via a β-amyrin assisted solvothermal method. The magnetic nanoparticles prepared were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and superconducting quantum interference magnetometry. The method developed allows for a fast and facile formation of pure cubic spinel Fe3O4 nanostructures. Moreover, in the presence of β-amyrin, monodisperse Fe3O4 nanocubes with a mean diameter 26±3nm were formed, while in the absence of this compound, Fe3O4 nanospheres of the same size were prepared. The iron oxide nanocubes showed superior magnetic properties and the enhanced hyperthermia performance for a cancer treatment because of their higher magnetic anisotropy density compared to iron oxide nanospheres.