Core-shell structured superparamagnetic Zn-Mg ferrite nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia applications

Abstract

Recently, surface functionalized magentic nanoparticles with core-shell structre were emerged as a promising materials in the biomedical realm. The present work reports the surface-modified Zn-Mg nanoferrite (Zn0.25Mg0.75Fe2O4) with inorganic magnetic core and organic shell coating synthesized by sol-gel auto ignition technique. Standard methods were used to characterise the Zn-Mg Ferrite nanoparticles with surface modifications. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) plot of the present sample verified its nanoscale nature having monophase spinel structure. Oleic acid (OA) was successfully coated over Zn-Mg Ferrite as confirmed by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) with occurrence of vibrational frequency bands associated with cubic spinel formation. By measuring the water contact angle, it was established that Zn-Mg Ferrite had a hydrophilic surface. N2-isotherm measurements were taken in order to gauge the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area. The superparamagnetic properties of the prepared samples were validated by the magnetization plots. By measuring the Zeta potential and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), the colloidal stability and particle size distribution was estimated for the prepared samples. Studies on magnetic hyperthermia were conducted at varied doses (0.5, 2.5, and 5 mg/mL). Cell viability tests were used to examine the biocompatibility of the prepared samples. All of these findings support the use of Zn-Mg nanoferrites coated with OA at a minimal dosage of 2.5 mg/mL in magnetic hyperthermia treatments for non-invasive cancer therapy.