Sol–gel synthesized nanoscale mixed Zn-Mg ferrite as nanoseeds for in vitro magnetic fluid hyperthermia for cancer treatment

• Published in: Journal of sol-gel science and technology Vol. 115; no. 2; pp. 561 - 572
• Main Authors: Somvanshi, Sandeep B., Dawi, Elmuez A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.08.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acids; Biocompatibility; Cancer; Cancer therapies; Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; Citric acid; Composites; Crystallites; Ferrites; Fever; Fourier transforms; Fuels; Glass; Hyperthermia; Infrared spectroscopy; Inorganic Chemistry; Magnesium; Magnetic fluids; Magnetic measurement; Magnetic properties; Materials Science; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Natural Materials; Nitrates; Optical and Electronic Materials; Original Paper; Particle size; Photon correlation spectroscopy; Raman spectroscopy; Scanning electron microscopy; Side effects; Spectrum analysis; Spinel; Synthesis; Temperature; Thermodynamic properties; Toxicity; X-ray diffraction; Zeta potential; Zinc; Zn-Mg ferrite; Biocompatibility; Cytotoxicity; Magnetic fluid hyperthermia; SAR
• DOI: 10.1007/s10971-025-06850-1
• ISSN: 0928-0707

The development of advanced nanomaterials for cancer therapy has gained substantial attention for their potential in targeted treatments such as magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH). In this study, we synthesized mixed Zn-Mg ferrite nanoparticles (Zn 0.5 Mg 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 ) using the sol-gel self-combustion method, with citric acid as the fuel and a metal nitrate-to-fuel ratio of 1:3. The nanoparticles were characterized for their structural, morphological, magnetic, and thermal properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). XRD analysis confirmed a single-phase spinel structure with an average crystallite size of ~21 nm. FE-SEM revealed spherical nanoparticles with uniform distribution, while EDAX confirmed the stoichiometric composition. Magnetic measurements showed superparamagnetic behavior, with a saturation magnetization of ~29.9 emu/g, indicating potential for MFH. In vitro studies on L929 and MCF-7 cell lines demonstrated good biocompatibility and significant cytotoxicity towards cancer cells under hyperthermia conditions. These results suggest that Zn 0.5 Mg 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 nanoparticles are promising nanoseeds for non-invasive MFH cancer therapy with minimal side effects. Graphical Abstract Highlights Synthesized Zn-Mg ferrite nanoparticles with spinel structure (~21 nm). Superparamagnetic behavior with saturation magnetization of ~29.9 emu/g. Stable colloidal dispersion with zeta potential ~30.4 mV. High SAR (~140 W/g) with minimal MNPs dosage enabling rapid therapeutic heating. Selective cancer cell killing with high normal cell biocompatibility.