Specific Absorption Rate Dependency on the Co²⁺ Distribution and Magnetic Properties in Co_xMn_1-xFe₂O₄ Nanoparticles

Mixed ferrite nanoparticles with compositions Co_xMn_1-xFe₂O₄ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0) were synthesized by a simple chemical co-precipitation method. The structure and morphology of the nanoparticles were obtained by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The average crystallite sizes decreased with increasing x, starting with 34.9 ± 0.6 nm for MnFe₂O₄ (x = 0) and ending with 15.0 ± 0.3 nm for CoFe₂O₄ (x = 1.0). TEM images show an edge morphology with the majority of the particles having cubic geometry and wide size distributions. The mixed ferrite and CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles have an inverse spinel structure indicated by the splitting of A_1g peak at around 620 cm^-1 in Raman spectra. The intensity ratios of the A_1g(1) and A_1g(2) peaks indicate significant redistribution of Co²⁺ and Fe³⁺ cations among tetrahedral and octahedral sites in the mixed ferrite nanoparticles. Magnetic hysterics loops show that all the particles possess significant remnant magnetization and coercivity at room temperature. The mass-normalized saturation magnetization is highest for the composition with x = 0.8 (67.63 emu/g), while CoFe₂O₄ has a value of 65.19 emu/g. The nanoparticles were PEG (poly ethylene glycol) coated and examined for the magneto thermic heating ability using alternating magnetic field. Heating profiles with frequencies of 333.45, 349.20, 390.15, 491.10, 634.45, and 765.95 kHz and 200, 250, 300, and 350 G field amplitudes were obtained. The composition with x = 0.2 (Co_0.2Mn_0.8Fe₂O₄) with saturation magnetization 57.41 emu/g shows the highest specific absorption rate (SAR) value of 190.61 W/g for 10 mg/mL water dispersions at a frequency of 765.95 kHz and 350 G field strength. The SAR values for the mixed ferrite and CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles increase with increasing concentration of particle dispersions, whereas for MnFe₂O₄, nanoparticles decrease with increasing the concentration of particle dispersions. SARs obtained for Co_0.2Mn_0.8Fe₂O₄ and CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles fixed in agar ferrogel dispersions at frequency of 765.95 kHz and 350 G field strength are 140.35 and 67.60 W/g, respectively. This study shows the importance of optimizing the occupancy of Co²⁺ among tetrahedral and octahedral sites of the spinel system, concentration of the magnetic nanoparticle dispersions, and viscosity of the surrounding medium on the magnetic properties and heating efficiencies.