Control of Anisotropy and Magnetic Hyperthermia Effect by Addition of Cobalt on Magnetite Nanoparticles

Abstract

Magnetic hyperthermia (MH) has emerged as a promising technology with diverse applications in medical and technological fields, leveraging the remote induction of temperature elevation through an alternating magnetic field. While Fe3O4 nanoparticles with an average size around 12–25 nm are commonly employed in MH systems, this study introduces a strategy to produce smaller particles (less than or equal to 10 nm) with enhanced heating efficiency, as measured by specific power absorption (SPA). We conducted an exhaustive and detailed investigation into the morphological and magnetic properties of CoxFe3–xO4 nanoparticles, aiming to optimize their MH response. By varying the Co content, we successfully tuned the effective magnetic anisotropy while maintaining saturation magnetization nearly constant. The MH analysis indicates that these nanoparticles predominantly heat through the Néel mechanism, demonstrating robust reproducibility across different concentrations, viscosity mediums, and ac field conditions. Notably, we identified an optimal anisotropy or Co concentration that maximizes SPA, crucial for developing magnetic systems requiring particles with specific sizes. This work contributes to advancing the understanding and application of MH, particularly in tailoring nanoparticle properties for targeted and efficient heat generation in various contexts.