Magnetic
nanoparticles (MNPs) have been extensively used in drug/gene
delivery, hyperthermia therapy, magnetic particle imaging (MPI), magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic bioassays, and so forth. With proper
surface chemical modifications, physicochemically stable and nontoxic
MNPs are emerging contrast agents and tracers for in vivo MRI and MPI applications. Herein, we report the high magnetic moment,
irregularly shaped γ′-Fe4N nanoparticles for
enhanced hyperthermia therapy and T2 contrast agent for
MRI application. The static and dynamic magnetic properties of γ′-Fe4N nanoparticles are characterized by a vibrating sample magnetometer
(VSM) and a magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS) system, respectively.
Compared to the γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles,
γ′-Fe4N nanoparticles show at least three
times higher saturation magnetization, which, as a result, gives rise
to the stronger dynamic magnetic responses as proved in the MPS measurement
results. In addition, γ′-Fe4N nanoparticles
are functionalized with an oleic acid layer by a wet mechanical milling
process. The morphologies of as-milled nanoparticles are characterized
by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering
(DLS), and nanoparticle tracking analyzer (NTA). We report that
with proper surface chemical modification and tuning on morphologies,
γ′-Fe4N nanoparticles could be used as tiny
heating sources for hyperthermia and contrast agents for MRI applications
with minimum dose.