Modelling the effect of different core sizes and magnetic interactions inside magnetic nanoparticles on hyperthermia performance

Abstract

Abstract We present experimental intrinsic loss power (ILP) values, measured at an excitation frequency of 1 MHz and at relatively low field amplitudes of 3.4–9.9 kA/m, as a function of the mean core diameter, for selected magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The mean core sizes ranged from ca. 8 nm to 31 nm. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that those with smaller core sizes (less than ca. 22 nm) were single-core MNPs, while those with larger core sizes (ca. 29 nm to 31 nm) were multi-core MNPs. The ILP data showed a peak at core sizes of ca. 20 nm. We show here that this behaviour correlates well with the predicted ILP values obtained using either a non-interacting Debye model, or via dynamic Monte-Carlo simulations, the latter including core-core magnetic interactions for the multi-core particles. This alignment of the models is a consequence of the low field amplitudes used. We also present interesting results showing that the core-core interactions affect the ILP value differently depending on the mean core size.