Hitesh G. Bagaria, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, P. O. Box 870203, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, Chandan Srivastava, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Alabam, P O Box 870202, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, J.W. Harrell, Department of Physics, University of Alabama, P O Box 870324, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, David Nikles, Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama, Box 870336, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, and Duane T. Johnson, University of Alabama, Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.
Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia (MFH) is a potential therapy for cancer treatment that uses magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to selectively heat the cancerous tissue to therapeutic temperatures (typically ~45°C). This is accomplished by localizing the MNPs in the cancerous tissue followed by the application of an alternating magnetic field. The temperature rise in the tissue during MFH depends on several factors including the material of the particles, dosage of the particles and, the amplitude and frequency of the magnetic field. Therefore careful monitoring and control of the temperature by modulating the magnetic field is essential for an effective treatment.
Such careful control of temperature can be avoided in a specialized form of MFH called self-regulated MFH, where MNPs that have a Curie temperature (Tc) equal to the therapeutic temperature are employed. When heated by the application of an alternating magnetic field, these MNPs heat up to their Tc. Beyond their Tc, they loose magnetism and can no longer heat even in the presence of the magnetic field, thus self-regulating the temperature. Bulk Fe72Pt28 in the disordered state has a Tc of ~45°C.
In the present work, we report on the synthesis of 4nm and 6nm FexPt100-x nanoparticles for self-regulated MFH. The compositions of the particles were tuned to be around Fe72Pt28. Magnetic measurements of these nanoparticles were performed to determine their suitability for self-regulated MFH.