Monodispersed magnetite nanoparticles optimized for magnetic fluid hyperthermia: Implications in biological systems

Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (MNPs) are suitable materials for Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia (MFH), provided their size is carefully tailored to the applied alternating magnetic field (AMF) frequency. Since aqueous synthesis routes produce polydisperse MNPs that are not tailored for any specific AMF frequency, we have developed a comprehensive protocol for synthesizing highly monodispersed MNPs in organic solvents, specifically tailored for our field conditions (f = 376 kHz, H-0 =13.4 kA/m) and subsequently transferred them to water using a biocompatible amphiphilic polymer. These MNPs (sigma(avg.) 0.175) show truly size-dependent heating rates, indicated by a sharp peak in the specific loss power (SLP, W/g Fe3O4) for 16 nm (diameter) particles. For broader size distributions (sigma(avg.) 0.266), we observe a 30% drop in overall SLP. Furthermore, heating measurements in biological medium [Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM)+10% fetal bovine serum] show a significant drop for SLP (similar to 30% reduction in 16 nm MNPs). Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements show particle hydrodynamic size increases over time once dispersed in DMEM, indicating particle agglomeration. Since the effective magnetic relaxation time of MNPs is determined by fractional contribution of the Neel (independent of hydrodynamic size) and Brownian (dependent on hydrodynamic size) components, we conclude that agglomeration in biological medium modifies the Brownian contribution and thus the net heating capacity of MNPs. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3556948]