Self-heating properties of iron oxide nanoparticles prepared at room temperature via ultrasonic-assisted co-precipitation process

Abstract

ABSTRACT Preparation of iron oxide nanoparticles by a simple and environmentally friendly technique with high hyperthermia performance is highly desirable for biomedical application. These can potentially develop room temperature nanoparticles through the ultrasonic-assisted co-precipitation process. In this work, two types of iron oxide nanoparticles, un-coated iron oxide (IONPs) and coated iron oxide nanoparticles with tetraethoxysilane (IONPs-TEOS), were prepared at room temperature via ultrasonic-assisted co-precipitation process. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized using multiple techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Self-heating properties and heating efficiency of the prepared nanoparticles were investigated under an alternative magnetic field in the function of carriers’ viscosity (water and ethanol) and induction time (0–6 minutes). It was found that the highest specific absorption rate (SAR) value for IONPs was 22.9 W/g when using water as a carrier. The viscosity affects the heating properties by changing the carrier through a Brownian mechanism and thus causes a significant SAR. Brownian relaxation is hindered by the particle’s hydrodynamic volume and the viscosity that tends to inhibit the particle rotation in the medium. Hence, the prepared room temperature iron oxide nanoparticles by this route can be applicable as hyperthermic agents for biomedical applications.