The thermo-therapeutic applications of Chitosan- CTAB coated Nickel Ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract

In this study, we used a hydrothermal-assisted co-precipitation method to synthesize the nickel ferrite (FN), Chitosan coated nickel ferrite (FN-Ch) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide coated nickel ferrite (FN-CT) nanoparticles with small sizes and good biocompatibility. These nanoparticles were then evaluated for their potential use in magnetic hyperthermia. The particles were characterized using a variety of techniques, including X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Inductively coupled plasma (ICP), magnetic characterization (VSM), zeta potential analysis, and in vivo studies (blood hemolysis and MTT test). The results of the X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the nanoparticles had a spinel phase of NiFe2O4. TEM analysis revealed that all three samples contained particles with nearly quadrilateral and hexagonal shapes. FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Chitosan and CTAB coatings on the particle surface. Magnetic hysteresis curves showed that all of the synthesized samples exhibited superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. The findings from the ICP analysis indicated that the FN-Ch and FN-CT nanoparticles contained iron and nickel, while no substantial quantities of other trace elements were identified in either of the samples. Blood hemolysis and MTT tests were used to assess the toxicity of the nanoparticles when in contact with red blood cells, fibroblast cells, and MCF7 cancer cells. Overall, our findings suggest that FN-Ch and FN-CT nanoparticles have potential for use in cancer diagnosis and treatment as part of a new nano-carrier system. Furthermore, combining hyperthermia with other treatment methods could enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapy.