Cobalt Ferrite Synthesized Using a Biogenic Sol-Gel Method for Biomedical Applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Cancer remains a leading global cause of mortality.
• Conventional cancer therapies like chemotherapy and radiotherapy present significant limitations and adverse effects.
• Magnetic hyperthermia (MH) offers a promising alternative or complementary cancer treatment modality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles for potential application in magnetic hyperthermia cancer therapy.
• To evaluate the structural, magnetic, and thermal properties of the synthesized nanoparticles.
• To assess the cytotoxic effects and specific absorption rate (SAR) for biomedical viability.

Main Methods:

• Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized using a biogenic sol-gel method incorporating powder of coconut water (PCW).
• Synthesized powders underwent heat treatments ranging from 500 °C to 1100 °C.
• Characterization involved thermal, structural (X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy), magnetic, and cytotoxic analyses.

Main Results:

• The sample treated at 1100 °C confirmed the pure phase of CoFe2O4 with a saturation magnetization of 84 emu/g and an average grain size of 542 nm.
• This optimized sample demonstrated a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 3.91 W/g.
• The nanoparticles exhibited non-cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 5 mg/mL, indicating good biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized cobalt ferrite nanoparticles, particularly those treated at 1100 °C, are highly suitable for magnetic hyperthermia cancer treatment.
• The biogenic synthesis approach offers an innovative and potentially eco-friendly method for producing MH agents.
• These findings highlight the potential of these nanoparticles as a safe and effective therapeutic agent for cancer therapy.