Magnetic Hyperthermia with Fe3O4 nanoparticles: the Influence of Particle Size on Energy Absorption

TL;DR

This study investigates how the size of Fe3O4 nanoparticles affects their magnetic heating efficiency, revealing optimal sizes for maximum energy absorption relevant for hyperthermia treatments.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the size-dependent magnetic heating properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, identifying size ranges with enhanced energy absorption for hyperthermia applications.

Findings

SPA peaks at 25-30 nm particle size

MS remains constant above 10 nm

Maximum SPA of 130 W/g at 17-26 nm

Abstract

We have studied the magnetic and power absorption properties of a series of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) of Fe3O4 with average sizes <d> ranging from 3 to 26 nm. Heating experiments as a function of particle size revealed a strong increase in the specific power absorption (SPA) values for particles with <d> = 25-30 nm. On the other side saturation magnetization MS values of these MNPs remain essentially constant for particles with <d> above 10 nm, suggesting that the absorption mechanism is not determined by MS. The largest SPA value obtained was 130 W/g, corresponding to a bimodal particle distribution with average size values of 17 and 26 nm.