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Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Frequency Mixing Magnetic Detection Scanner for Imaging Magnetic Particles in Planar Samples
Published on: June 9, 2016
Coercivity Determines Magnetic Particle Heating
Fabian H L Starsich1, Christian Eberhardt2, Andreas Boss2
1Particle Technology Laboratory, Institute of Process Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Diseased cell treatment by heating with magnetic nanoparticles is hindered by their required high concentrations. A clear relationship between heating efficiency and magnetic properties of nanoparticles has not been attained experimentally yet due to limited availability of magnetic nanoparticles with varying size and composition. Here, versatile flame aerosol technology is used for the synthesis of 21 types of ferro-/ferrimagnetic nanocrystals with varying composition, size, and morphology for hyperthermia and thermoablation therapy. Heating efficiency, magnetic hysteresis, and first-order reversal curves of these materials are compared. The maximum heating performance occurs near the transition from superparamagnetic to single domain state, regardless of particle composition. Most importantly, the ratio between saturation magnetization and coercivity can be linked to the heating properties of magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetic interaction is controlled by changes in the architecture of the nanoparticles and closely analyzed by first-order reversal curves. Silica-coated nonstoichiometric Gd-Zn ferrite exhibits the most promising therapeutic capability at relatively low particle concentrations, as shown in vitro with cancerous prostate cells.
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