Magnetic silica nanotubes: synthesis, drug release, and feasibility for magnetic hyperthermia

A new kind of silica nanotube with incorporated γ-Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles has been successfully prepared through sol-gel processes. Hematite particles supported on carbon nanotubes served as templates for the fabrication of the magnetic silica nanotubes. The obtained nanostructures consisting of magnetic Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles protected by a silica shell were fully characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N(2) sorption and desorption, and magnetization studies. The hollow inner space and the magnetic functionalization render the material promising for applications in biology and medicine. This is underlined by studies in alternating magnetic fields which show a significant heating effect, i.e., the feasibility for applications in hyperthermia therapies. In addition, the material exhibits enhanced drug-loading capacity which is demonstrated by loading with rhodamine B molecules as drugs and corresponding release experiments. The results show that magnetic silica nanotubes can be straightforwardly synthesized and have a great potential as a multifunctional drug carrier system.