Hexagonal magnetite nanoprisms: preparation, characterization and cellular uptake

The capacity of iron oxide nanocrystals to heat tissue when subjected to an alternating magnetic field (AMF hyperthermia) is shape-selective. Although iron oxide nanostructures with numerous shapes have been synthesized to date, hexagonal Fe₃O₄ prisms of low toxicity remained elusive. Here, we report the use of a dual ligand system permitting feasible reaction conditions to synthesize nearly perfect hexagonal Fe₃O₄ nanoplatelet structures, with edge length of 45 ± 5 nm and thickness of 5 to 6 nm. Their Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is >750 W g(Fe)^-1. The Fe₃O₄ hexagons were coated with a dopamine-based ligand to increase dispersibility in aqueous buffers. The Fe₃O₄ hexagons were only minimally toxic to RAW264.7 cells, which can be utilized in cell-based cancer targeting approaches.