Laser ablation of Fe$_2$B target enriched in 10B content for boron neutron capture therapy

TL;DR

This study demonstrates a laser ablation method to produce biocompatible Fe2B nanoparticles enriched with 10B isotope, suitable for boron neutron capture therapy, with high purity and magnetic properties.

Contribution

It introduces a novel laser ablation technique to synthesize 10B-enriched Fe2B nanoparticles for medical applications.

Findings

Nanoparticles are approximately 15 nm in size.

Content of 10B in nanoparticles is 76.9%.

Nanoparticles are magnetic and biocompatible.

Abstract

The technique of laser ablation in liquids is applied to produce of Boron-containing nanoparticles from ablation of a Fe$_2$B bulk target enriched in 10B isotope. Laser ablation of the target in liquid isopropanol results in partial disproportionation to free Fe and Boron while nanoparticles of Fe$_2$B are also presented. Nanoparticles are magnetic and can be collected using a permanent magnet. Average size of nanoparticles is of 15 nm. The content of 10B in generated nanoparticles amounts to 76,9 %. Nanoparticles are biocompatible and can be used in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.