Structural and in-vitro assessment of ZnxFe3−xC (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) nanoparticles as magnetic biomaterials

Abstract

For this study, ZnxFe3−xC (0 < x ≤ 1) MNPS were synthesized using sol-gel technique followed by calcination at 700 °C in N2 atmosphere. The phase was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy whereas the morphology by transmission electron microscope. The presence of Fe, Zn and C was indicated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The saturation magnetization value for x = 0.1 sample was 58 Am2/kg which decreased minutely with increased Zn substitutions. The maximum specific absorption rate and intrinsic loss power values, were 85 W/g and 1.9 nHm2/kg for the sample x = 0.7, at 25 mT external magnetic field. The cytotoxicity of these MNPS was examined with human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells using SRB assay. The cells were viable up to ~88% after a treatment with 2 mg/mL of each of Zn0.5F2.5C and ZnFe2C nanoparticles after 48 h. Fluorescence microscopy showed unaltered morphology for the cells treated with 1 mg/mL of Zn0.5Fe2.5C nanoparticles. The preliminary results on these carbides were comparable to their oxide counterparts and deserve further investigations.