Dextran-coated Fe3 O4 Nanoparticles for Hyperthermia Therapy Application

Abstract

In the present work, nanocrystals of magnetite were prepared by alkaline precipitation. The precursor used for synthesis was ferrous chloride only and the reaction was carried out in absence of any oxidant. Dextran is a material with excellent biocompatibility, water solubility and low cytotoxicity. Hence it was chosen as a potential coating material for the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Both bare and coated MNPs (Fe3O4 and D- Fe3O4) showed particle size of diameter 20.8±4.1 nm and 16.3±3.2 nm, respectively. The magnetization values of both the MNPs were 53.62 emu/g and 47.86 emu/g at room temperature, respectively. The negligible coercivity and remanence values at room temperature implied superparamagnetic behaviour of the MNPs. Zeta potential of both bare and coated nanoparticles showed higher colloidal stability of coated nanoparticles than the bare one at a pH range of 2-10. The MNPs are studied for their heating induction abilities at 167.6 Oe, 251.4 Oe and 335.2 Oe (equivalent to 13.3, 20.0 and 26.7 kA m-1, respectively), in order to use them in magnetic fluid hyperthermia therapy. At 335.2 Oe, DFe 3O4 showed maximum Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 120.25 W/g, while bare MNPs showed SAR of 79.32 W/g. Both the particles had no cytotoxic effect on L929 cell line showing their strong possibility to be used for in vivo applications. The further work is in the process.