Inductive heat property of Fe3O4/polymer composite nanoparticles in an ac magnetic field for localized hyperthermia

Abstract

The magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation of Fe3+ and Fe2+ with an aqueous NaOH solution. The Fe3O4/polyaniline (PANI) magnetic composite nanoparticles with a core–shell structure with a diameter of 30–50 nm were prepared via an in situ polymerization of aniline in an aqueous solution containing the Fe3O4 magnetic fluid. The inductive heat property of Fe3O4/PANI composite nanoparticles in an alternating current (ac) magnetic field was investigated. The potential of Fe3O4/PANI nanoparticles was evaluated for localized hyperthermia treatment of cancers. The saturation magnetization, Ms, and coercivity, Hc, are 50.05 emu g−1 and 137 Oe for Fe3O4 nanoparticles and 26.34 emu g−1 and 0 Oe for Fe3O4/PANI composite nanoparticles, respectively. Exposed in the ac magnetic field for 29 min, the temperatures of physiological saline suspensions containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles or Fe3O4/PANI composite nanoparticles are 63.6 °C and 52.4 °C, respectively. The Fe3O4/PANI composite nanoparticles would be useful as good thermoseeds for localized hyperthermia treatment of cancers.