Characterization of Magnetite/Iodized Oil Magnetic Fluid for Embolization and Hyperthermia Application

Abstract

Fe3O4 nanoparticles/iodized oil magnetic fluids (FIOMFs) have showed potential in targeted hyperthermia for liver tumors; in this paper, FIOMFs were simply and conveniently prepared by dispersing the synthesized hydrophobic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (FNPs) in iodized oil; the stability, magnetothermal effects, and the biotoxicity of FIOMFs were evaluated. The results showed that the stability of FIOMFs was mainly influenced by the morphology and the size of FNPs. FNPs prepared with FeCl3·6H2O, oleylamine (OAm), ethylene glycol (EG), and stearic acid exhibited the best suspension stability, which could suspend in iodized oil stably for a long time. Depending on the FNP content and the parameters of the alternating magnetic field (AMF), the temperature of FIOMF in AMF can reach up to more than 70 °C within 60 s, exhibited excellent magnetothermal effects. The in vitro cytotoxicity tests indicated the cytotoxicity of FNPs is mainly influenced by its concentration in cells.