Synthesis of mesoporous cobalt ferrite/hydroxyapatite core-shell nanocomposite for magnetic hyperthermia and drug release applications

Abstract

In this study, cobalt ferrite/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite was developed by a new approach to design a uniform core-shell combination. The prepared powders were characterized by different techniques such as Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analyses, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). TEM micrographs showed the formation of a uniform core/shell structure with a particle size of about 85±65 nm. The controlled drug release experiments showed that the samples have a good drug loading capability and controlled delivery ability up to 50 h. Moreover, with different magnetic fields or different cobalt ferrite ratios to hydroxyapatite, it is possible to manipulate the amount of produced heat, making this composite promising for various kinds of magnetic hyperthermia-based treatment. Cytotoxicity of the nanocomposite was evaluated by MTT assay using MG63 cells. MTT and VSM results revealed that incorporating hydroxyapatite on cobalt ferrite nanoparticles' surface significantly increases cell compatibility, whereas it reduces magnetization saturation. The results suggest that cobalt ferrite/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite with multifunctionality and uniform structure has a great capability to be applied for medical uses.