Modification of the Co-Precipitation Method to Synthesize Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Higher Specific Absorption Rates

Thanks to advances in nanotechnology, it has become possible to synthesize, characterize, and especially modify the surface of nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Due to their promising properties, several investigations have been carried out in the biomedical field using nano-scaled iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles, usually called ferrofluids, such as magnetite (Fe₃O₄). The properties of iron oxide nanoparticles are remarkable, particularly for their promising role in the biomedical field especially in diseases like cancer. However, the preparation method of these nanoparticles has become a challenge primarily because their properties are strongly influenced by particle size, shape, agglomeration and size distribution. These nanoparticles have demonstrated superparamagnetism characteristics at room temperature, in which is obtained an accurate ratio and pH range when compared to the conventional protocol. The hypothesis of this project is that by optimizing the conventional co-precipitation synthesis protocol, nanoparticles with a smaller hydrodynamic diameter can be produced along with less agglomeration, higher magnetization properties and a higher Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). To this end, an experimental design was developed to investigate the effect of temperature and peptization on the resulting SAR values. Focus was given to temperature at a range of 20^oC-30^oC and 80^oC along with the condition of peptization, incorporating the use of an ultra-sonicator probe. To increase the magnetization properties of the particles sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was added in a scaled down co-precipitation synthesis with two different experimental set ups. Nanoparticle characterization techniques like Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and UV-Vis spectroscopy were carried out to measure the hydrodynamic diameter and the iron concentration, respectively. Preliminary results indicated a decrease in the diameter of the nanoparticles at room temperature and a more effective peptization. Lately, by understanding and optimizing the conventional co-precipitation protocol, our findings will improve the heating efficiency of the nanoparticles which will increase their potential for biomedical applications.