Properties of Dense Assemblies of Magnetic Nanoparticles Promising for Application in Biomedicine

Chemically synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles and magnetosomes produced by magnetotactic bacteria are of great importance for application in biomedicine. In this paper, we discuss the complicated magnetic anisotropy of the nanoparticles, the influence of the magnetostatic interactions, and thermal fluctuations on the behavior of these assemblies. Numerical simulation for dilute assemblies of iron oxide nanoparticles with combined magnetic anisotropy show that the uniaxial shape anisotropy dominates even for small aspect ratios of the particle, L/D≥1.1–1.2. The quasistatic hysteresis loops are calculated for various clusters of bacterial magnetosomes with diameters D=40–60 nm to understand the influence of magnetostatic interactions. The specific absorption rate (SAR) is calculated for assemblies of magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in solid and liquid media. A new electrodynamic method of measurement is used to obtain the SAR of the assembly of bacterial magnetosomes with average diameter D=48 nm.     

Cyclotron Resonance in ZnO Heterostructures at High Magnetic Fields

The carrier-density dependence of the cyclotron resonance was studied in ZnMgO/ZnO heterostructures between n=5.4×10¹² cm^?2 and n=7.5×10¹² cm^?2. The effective mass was obtained as m ^?=0.32m ₀, and the significant carrier-density dependence of the effective mass was not observed in the present samples. This is partially due to the suppression of the resonant polaron effect in the dense carrier system. Oscillatory behavior appears in the cyclotron resonance spectra at the higher magnetic field side of the resonant field. The oscillatory period is perfectly coincident with the one of the Shubnikov-de Hass oscillation.     

Magnetic properties of multicore magnetite nanoparticles prepared by glass crystallisation

A glass with the composition 13K₂O*13Al₂O₃*16B₂O₃*43SiO₂*15Fe₂O_3?x was melted and rapidly quenched in water. This leads to the formation of phase-separated droplets with diameters from 100 to 150 nm. Magnetite crystals with a size of 10–20 nm precipitate within these droplets. The magnetite containing phase-separated regions can be separated from the glass by dissolving the SiO₂-rich amorphous glass matrix through boiling the pulverized glass in a concentrated aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The residual, magnetite containing phase-separated droplets match multicore magnetite nanoparticles (McNP). The magnetite nanoparticles show superparamagnetic behaviour and as McNP, lead to a higher effective magnetic radius than single crystals. Magnetisation measurements of the McNP indicate that the particles show a narrow hysteresis, but the ratio of remanent to saturation magnetisation is not high enough for uniaxial anisotropy. The additionally performed temperature-dependent magnetorelaxometry (TMRX) measurements show peaks at 13 and 39 K in the distribution of the magnetic moment relaxation. The obtained inter-particle distance of the magnetite within the McNP is smaller than 5 d _C (core diameter), leading to strong magnetic interactions.     

Samarium-doped Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles with improved magnetic and supercapacitive performance: a novel preparation strategy and characterization

Sm³⁺-doped magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles were synthesized through a one-pot facile electrochemical method. In this method, products were electrodeposited on a stainless steel (316L) cathode from an additive-free 0.005 M Fe(NO₃)₃/FeCl₂/SmCl₃ aqueous electrolyte. The structural characterizations through X-ray diffraction, field-emission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray indicated that the deposited material has Sm³⁺-doped magnetite particles with average size of 20 nm. Magnetic analysis by VSM revealed the superparamagnetic nature of the prepared nanoparticles (Ms = 41.89 emu g^?1, Mr = 0.12 emu g^?1, and H _Ci = 2.24 G). The supercapacitive capability evaluation of the prepared magnetite nanoparticles through cyclic voltammetry and galvanostat charge–discharge showed that these materials are capable to deliver specific capacitances as high as 207 F g^?1 (at 0.5 A g^?1) and 145 F g^?1 (at 2 A g^?1), and capacity retentions of 94.5 and 84.6% after 2000 cycling at 0.5 and 1 A g^?1, respectively. The results proved the suitability of the electrosynthesized nanoparticles for use in supercapacitors. Furthermore, this work provides a facile electrochemical route for the synthesis of lanthanide-doped magnetite nanoparticles.     

Heating Characteristics of Transformer Oil-Based Magnetic Fluids of Different Magnetic Particle Concentrations

The heating ability of mineral oil-based magnetic fluids with different magnetic particle concentrations is studied. The calorimetric measurements were carried out in an alternating magnetic field of 500 A · m⁻¹ to 2500 A · m⁻¹ amplitude and of 1500 kHz frequency. The revealed H ⁿ law-type dependence of the temperature increase rate, (dT/dt) _t=0, on the amplitude of the magnetic field indicates the presence of superparamagnetic and partially ferromagnetic particles in the tested samples since n > 2. The specific absorption rate (SAR) defined as the rate of energy absorption per unit mass increases with a decrease of the volume fraction of the dispersed phase. This can be explained by the formation of aggregates in the samples with a higher concentration of magnetic particles.     

Magnetic PNIPA hydrogels for hyperthermia applications in cancer therapy

Temperature-sensitive Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPA gels were synthesized with micron-sized iron and iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) particles to investigate their viability for combined hyperthermia and drug release applications. The ultimate goal is to combine hyperthermia and triggered drug release. Induction heating of the magnetic hydrogels with varying concentration of magnetic powder was conducted at a frequency of 375 kHz for magnetic field strength varying from 1.7 kA/m to 2.5 kA/m. It was observed that the maximum temperature induced in the magnetic hydrogels increased with the concentration of magnetic particles and magnetic field strength. The PNIPA gel underwent a collapse transition at 34 °C. The best combination was found for the PNIPA–Fe₃O₄ system, 2.5 wt.% Fe₃O₄ in PNIPA–Fe₃O₄ system took 260 s to be heated to 45 °C under a magnetic field strength of 1.7 kA/m and the specific absorption rate (SAR) was found to be 1.83. SAR of iron oxide was found to be higher than the SAR of iron.     

Pinning enhancement in MgB2 superconducting thin films by magnetic nanoparticles of Fe2O3

MgB₂ thin films were fabricated on r-plane Al₂O₃ ( ${1} \overline{{1}} {0} {2})$ substrates. First, deposition of boron was performed by rf magnetron sputtering on Al₂O₃ substrates and followed by a post-deposition annealing at 850 °C in magnesium vapour. In order to investigate the effect of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles on the structural and magnetic properties of films, MgB₂ films were coated with different concentrations of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles by spin coating process. The magnetic field dependence of the critical current density J _c was calculated from the M–H loops and magnetic field dependence of the pinning force density, f _p(b), was investigated for the films containing different concentrations of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles. The critical current densities, J _c, in 3T magnetic field at 5 K were found to be around 2·7 × 10⁴ A/cm², 4·3 × 10⁴ A/cm², 1·3 × 10⁵ A/cm² and 5·2 × 10⁴ A/cm² for films with concentrations of 0, 25, 50 and 100% Fe₂O₃, respectively. It was found that the films coated with Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles have significantly enhanced the critical current density. It can be noted that especially the films coated by Fe₂O₃ became stronger in the magnetic field and at higher temperatures. It was believed that coated films indicated the presence of artificial pinning centres created by Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles. The results of AFM indicate that surface roughness of the films significantly decreased with increase in concentration of coating material.     

Tuning of magnetite nanoparticles to hyperthermic thermoseed by controlled spray method

Magnetite nanoparticles with super-paramagnetic properties have great potential to achieve advances in fields such as hyperthermia, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic drug targeting. In particular, magnetic particles less than 50 nm are easily incorporated into cells and generate heat under an alternating magnetic field by hysteresis loss. Various methods of preparing magnetic particles have attracted attention, such as spray pyrolysis, microwave irradiation of ferrous hydroxide, microemulsion technique and hydrothermial preparation technique. In this study, magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized with various molar ratio of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ by coprecipitation using spray-guns and dropping syringe. Experiments at different molar concentrations of Fe ions were conducted, which shows the ideal molar concentration of Fe²⁺ to be 0.5 M for pure magnetite. Both in the spray and drop method, pure magnetite nanoparticles could be synthesized when the molar concentration of Fe²⁺ was 0.5 M. With increasing the molar ratio of Fe²⁺, the particle size of the magnetite nanoparticles was increased. The smallest size could be reduced to approximately 7 nm by the spray method. The shape of the synthesized nanoparticles was nearly spherical. The calculated highest loss power by hysteresis losses was 597 W/g, generated with a molar concentration ratio of 0.5:1 (Fe²⁺:Fe³⁺).     

Artificial Pinning Centers on MgB2 Superconducting Thin Films Coated by FeO Nanoparticles

MgB₂ thin films were fabricated on MgO (100) single crystal substrates. First, deposition of boron was performed by rf magnetron sputtering on MgO substrates and followed by a post deposition annealing at 850?°C in magnesium vapor. In order to investigate the effect of FeO nanoparticles on magnetic properties of MgB₂ thin films, the films were coated with different concentrations of FeO nanoparticles by spin coating process. The magnetic field dependence of the critical current density $J_{\mathrm{c}}$ was calculated from the M?CH loops and also magnetic field dependence of the pinning force density $f_{\mathrm{p}}(b)$ was determined for the films containing different concentrations of FeO nanoparticles. The values of the critical current density $J_{\mathrm{c}}$ in zero field at 5?K was found to be around 1×10⁶?A/cm² for pure MgB₂ film, 1.4×10⁶ for MgB₂ film coated with 25?%, 7.2×10⁵ for MgB₂ film coated with 33?%, 9.1×10⁵ for MgB₂ film coated with 50?% and 1.1×10⁶?A/cm² for MgB₂ film coated with 100?%. It?was?found that the film coated with 25?% FeO nanoparticles has slightly enhanced critical current density and it can be noted that especially the film coated with 25?% FeO became stronger in the magnetic field. The films coated with FeO were successfully produced and they indicated the presence of artificial pinning centers created by FeO nanoparticles. The superconducting transition temperature of the film coated with 25?% FeO nanoparticles was determined by moment?Ctemperature (M?CT) measurement to be 34?K which is 4?K higher than that of the pure film.     

Magnetic field-guided orientation of carbon nanotubes through their conjugation with magnetic nanoparticles

Low intensity magnetic fields (22mT) rendered by a pair of bar magnets have been used to achieve in situ precise orientation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and their directional deposition on solid substrates. The nanotubes were imparted magnetic characteristics through Fe₃O₄ (magnetite) nanoparticles covalently attached to their surface. The side walls of nanotubes were first acid oxidized with H₂SO₄/HNO₃ (3:1 v/v) mixture and amine-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles were then interfaced to ends and side walls of the nanotubes through covalent linkages in the presence of a zero length cross linker, 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopic investigations affirmed the functionalization of nanostructures and formation of a magnetic nanohybrid. Transmission electron microscopy results revealed the attachment of nanoparticles along the side walls of MWCNTs. A flow cell was utilized to orient magnetic nanohybrid in the desired direction and also to create thin films of aligned MWCNTs. Further, directional assembly of magnetic MWCNTs at different orientation angles on solid substrates was studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy. The procedure can be scaled to align CNTs on large surface areas for numerous applications, e.g., nanosensors, field emitters, and composites.     

Effect of Particle Size on Magnetic and Dielectric Properties of Nanoscale Dy-Doped BiFeO3

In the present report, influence of Dy-substitution and size on the structural, magnetic and dielectric properties of BiFeO₃ nanoparticles has been investigated. The synthesis of pure and Dy-doped BiFeO₃ nanoparticles has been done successfully using sol–gel method. Size of Dy-doped BiFeO₃ nanoparticles was tailored by varying the calcination temperature. Structural analysis reveal that substitution of Dy³⁺ leads to a change in structure from rhombohedral (x=0) to orthorhombic (x=0.15). The average crystallite size varies from 6 to 15 nm. Magnetic study reveals the enhancement in magnetization with the doping of Dy³⁺. Further, this value decreases as the particle size increases. Dielectric property improves with the Dy³⁺ substitution. All the nanoparticles display Debye-type relaxation. The low dielectric loss values observed are attributed to the nanosized grains. Remarkably, enhanced saturation magnetization value (13.8 emu/g) and dielectric constant value (95.8) were observed for Dy-doped BiFeO₃ nanoparticles having the smallest particle size. Thereby, the study indicates strong correlation between size and multiferroism.     

Study of the Low Temperature Glassy Phase in Gd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 Single Crystals

We have grown single crystals of Gd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ (GSMO50) using optical float zone method. We report AC susceptibility measurements carried out on these single crystals at various frequencies in the range 42 to 10,000 Hz under the application of small AC magnetic field (??170 mOe). The frequency dependence of the peak temperature follows a critical slowing down with exponent z??=1.13(4) as seen in the dynamical scaling analysis reported in the present paper. We observe that the glass-like phase in GSMO50 (?? below 32 K) is very sluggish (spin flipping time ?? ₀=4×10^?6 sec).     

Carrier-Density Dependence of Faraday Rotation and Spin Splitting in Cd1−x Mn x Te

We employ spin-quantum-beat spectroscopy to investigate the carrier-density dependence of the spin-precession frequency and the magnitude of the Faraday rotation of Cd_1?x Mn _x Te samples at fixed magnetic field. We find an onset of saturation of the Faraday rotation at carrier densities as low as 4× 10¹⁶ cm^?3 and attribute it to electrons (not holes which dominate in other types of experiments). The spin splitting at fixed magnetic field remains density dependent down to 3 × 10¹⁵ cm^?3 (the lowest density accessible in our measurements) which suggests a direct influence of the carrier-density on the sp–d exchange not mediated by screening effects.     

Maximizing Specific Loss Power for Magnetic Hyperthermia by Hard–Soft Mixed Ferrites

Maximized specific loss power and intrinsic loss power approaching theoretical limits for alternating‐current (AC) magnetic‐field heating of nanoparticles are reported. This is achieved by engineering the effective magnetic anisotropy barrier of nanoparticles via alloying of hard and soft ferrites. 22 nm Co_0.03Mn_0.28Fe_2.7O₄/SiO₂ nanoparticles reach a specific loss power value of 3417 W g^?1_metal at a field of 33 kA m^?1 and 380 kHz. Biocompatible Zn_0.3Fe_2.7O₄/SiO₂ nanoparticles achieve specific loss power of 500 W g^?1_metal and intrinsic loss power of 26.8 nHm² kg^?1 at field parameters of 7 kA m^?1 and 380 kHz, below the clinical safety limit. Magnetic bone cement achieves heating adequate for bone tumor hyperthermia, incorporating an ultralow dosage of just 1 wt% of nanoparticles. In cellular hyperthermia experiments, these nanoparticles demonstrate high cell death rate at low field parameters. Zn_0.3Fe_2.7O₄/SiO₂ nanoparticles show cell viabilities above 97% at concentrations up to 500 µg mL^?1 within 48 h, suggesting toxicity lower than that of magnetite.     

Periodical Oscillation Phenomena Observed in Salt-Water Oscillator Experiments under Small Gravity Conditions

We examined periodical oscillation phenomena that were observed during salt-water oscillator experiments under a small gravity condition. This condition was realized by situating a lower-density gadolinium chloride (GdCl ₃) aqueous solution on a higher-density sodium chloride (NaCl) aqueous solution and applying a downward magnetic force. The GdCl ₃ solution concentration was 0.15 mol/kg (density ρ=1.03×10³ kg/m ³), and the NaCl concentration was varied to (A) 4.35 mol/kg (ρ=1.15×10³ kg/m ³), (B) 3.79 mol/kg (ρ=1.12×10³ kg/m ³), and (C) 2.49 mol/kg (ρ= 1.09×10 ³ kg/m ³). The magnitude of magnetic flux density was varied from 0 to 4.00 T. As the magnetic flux density grew larger, the GdCl ₃ solution was pulled downward by the magnetic force, and upward and downward flows were generated simultaneously at the orifice. These flows were accompanied by a periodical, locally thickened part. The thickened part was only observed when the magnetic force magnitude was small in cases (A) and (B). This flow pattern was not observed in case (C), in which a conventional salt-water oscillation was induced instead (C). In this paper we discuss new experimental results in which the oscillation cycles in cases (A) and (B) are strongly associated with the magnitude of the magnetic force and the density difference in the biphase solutions.     

Magnetic properties and NMR studies of the SrAlM hexagonal ferrite system

The magnetic parameters for single crystals of SrAl_xFe_12−xO₁₉ (x=0, 0.8) were measured at 77 and 295 K. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experimental data of ⁵⁷Fe nuclei in domains of these samples were determined in a wide range of temperatures using the spin-echo technique. Influence of substitution of Fe³⁺ ions by Al³⁺ ions on magnetic properties have been studied with the aid of NMR spectra of ⁵⁷Fe nuclei. It is shown that only 82% of Al³⁺ exist in b-sublattice (site 2a) and 18% of Al³⁺ ions are statistically distributed in the other sublattices for SrAl_xFe_12−xO₁₉. The percentage 82% Al³⁺ in sites 2a experimentally increases the value of anisotropy constant K₁ by 0.60×10⁶ erg cm⁻³. Thus, the contribution of Fe³⁺ ion in the position 2a to the magnetic anisotropy constant of SrFe₁₂O₁₉ in low temperatures is estimated. It is shown that the value K₁(2a)=−0.90×10⁶ erg cm⁻³.     

Exciting Dilute Magnetic Semiconductor: Copper-Doped ZnO

The present study is focused on the copper-doped ZnO system. Bulk copper-doped ZnO pellets were synthesized by a solid-state reaction technique and used as target material in pulsed laser deposition. Thin films were grown for different Cu doped pellets on sapphire substrates in vacuum (5×10^?5 mbar). Thin films having (002) plane of ZnO showed different oxidation states of dopants. M–H curves exhibited weak ferromagnetic signal for 1–3 % Cu doping but for 5 % Cu doped thin film sample showed the diamagnetic behavior. For deeper information, thin films were grown for 5 % Cu doped ZnO bulk pellet in different oxygen ambient pressures and analyzed. PL measurement at low temperature showed the emission peak in thin films samples due to acceptor-related transitions. XPS results show that copper exists in Cu²⁺ and Cu⁺¹ valence states in thin films and with increasing O₂ ambient pressure the valence-band maximum in films shifts towards higher binding energy. Furthermore, in lower oxygen ambient pressure (1×10^?2 mbar) thin films showed magnetic behavior but this vanished for the film grown at higher ambient pressures of oxygen (6×10^?2 mbar), which hints towards the decrease in donor defects.     

Dielectric losses and ac conductivity of Si–LiNbO3 heterostructures grown by the RF magnetron sputtering method

Single-axis <0001> textured polycrystalline LiNbO₃ films were grown on (001) Si substrates by the RF magnetron sputtering method. Dielectric losses that occur in the Si–LiNbO3 heterostructures are caused by the conductivity of the LiNbO3 films. Analysis of temperature and frequency dependence of ac conductivity in the frequency range f = 25/10⁵ Hz has demonstrated that it is expressed by the power law σ(ω) = Aω^s and is described in the framework of the correlated barrier-hopping model. Thermal annealing (TA) of the Si–LiNbO3 heterostructures causes an increase in the density of the localized states in the band gap of LiNbO3 from D = 7 × 10²⁴ m^?3 to D = 2 × 10²⁵ m^?3. The conduction mechanism is changed radically after TA and phonon-assisted tunneling influences ac conductivity at the frequency of up to 800 Hz. At high frequency (f > 800 Hz), dielectric relaxation predominates affecting frequency dependence σ(ω) on relaxation time τ = 6.6 × 10^?5 s.     

Evaluation of Relaxational and Hysteretic Heat Losses in Concentrated Magnetic Fluid under Influence of Alternating Magnetic Field

This article describes the magnetic and hyperthermic investigation of a concentrated magnetic fluid on the basis of a transformer mineral oil with magnetite particles. The structure of a ferrofluid and general magnetic parameters of a medium were determined from vibrating sample magnetometer measurements. The hyperthermic experiments were carried out at a frequency f = 1500 kHz for various magnetic field amplitudes. The analysis of calorimetric results allowed an estimate of the contribution of relaxational and hysteresis loss mechanisms in total energy losses in the hyperthermic effect under the influence of an alternating magnetic field. Additional calorimetric measurements were also performed (at H _C = 1500 A · m⁻¹) versus frequency in the range from 50 kHz to 2 MHz which indicated that for f _o =  653 kHz the heating process is the most effective.     

Magnetic properties of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

Understanding the magnetic properties of magnetotactic bacteria (MTBs) is of great interest in fields of life sciences, geosciences, biomineralization, biomagnetism, and planetary sciences. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (At. ferrooxidans), obtaining energy through the oxidation of ferrous iron and various reduced inorganic sulfur compounds, can synthesize intracellular magnetite magnetosomes. However, the magnetic properties of such microorganism remain unknown. Here we used transmission electronmicroscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) assay, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), magneto–thermogravimetric analysis (MTGA), and low temperature magnetometry to comprehensively investigate the magnetic characteristics of At. ferrooxidans. Results revealed that each cell contained only 1 to 3 magnetite magnetosomes, which were arranged irregularly. The magnetosomes were generally in a stable single-domain (SD) state, but superparamagnetic (SP) magnetite particles were also found. The calcined bacteria exhibited a ferromagnetic behavior with a Curie Temperature of 454 °C and a coercivity of 16.36 mT. Additionally, the low delta ratio (δ_FC/δ_ZFC = 1.27) indicated that there were no intact magnetosome chains in At. ferrooxidans. Our results provided the new insights on the biomineralization of bacterial magnetosomes and magnetic properties of At. ferrooxidans.