Magnetic Hyperthermia and Photocatalytic Properties of MnFe2O4 Nanoparticles Synthesized by Solvothermal Reflux Method

Abstract

Development of new superparamagnetic materials with narrow size distribution is crucial for biomedical and environmental applications. Hence, we report the synthesis of narrow size distributed single grain MnFe2O4 nanoparticles of average particle size 9 nm by solvothermal reflux method. Synthesized compound crystallized in face centered cubic spinel structure and is confirmed by X-ray diffraction profiles. Transmission electron micrograph shows narrow size distributed particles with an average particle size of 9 nm and is equal to crystallite diameter estimated from Scherrer equation. The spinel crystal structure is further confirmed by electron diffraction profiles, Fourier transformed infrared spectrum, and Raman spectrum at room temperature. Magnetic properties of the sample show superparamagnetic nature at room temperature with moderate saturated magnetization of 56.4 emug−1. Magnetic heating properties of nanoparticles dispersion show the attainment of hyperthermia temperature (43 °C) in a short span of time of 1.6 min for 2 mg/mL and 2.6 min for 1 mg/mL concentrations. Estimated specific heat generation rate or specific power absorption rate, from temporal temperature plots, is 145.78 Wg−1 and is useful for magnetic hyperthermia application in cancer therapy. Photocatalysis properties of sample show 96% of rhodamine B dye degradation in little less than 6 h under UV light irradiation and are useful for photocatalytic applications in wastewater treatment in industries.