Pentenoic Acid-Stabilized Magnetic Nanoparticles for Nanomedicine Applications

One-pot magnetic nanoparticles capped with pentenoic acid were prepared by co-precipitation process of Fe2+ and Fe3+ in the presence of ammonium hydroxide solution. The morphology and the hydrodynamic diameter of the prepared nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, while stability, surface charge, and magnetic properties were assessed through thermogravimetric analysis, zeta potential, and a vibrating sample magnetometer, respectively. The type of interaction between iron nanoparticles and the carboxylate head of pentenoic acid was studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). It indicates the existence of a bidentate chelation and pentenoic acid is not only adsorbed on the iron nanoparticles, but to some extent the nanoparticles are chemically bonded. When an alternating magnetic field is applied, magnetic materials are observed to heat as a result of relaxation. The heat generated from samples was examined by exposing a suspension containing 20% and 30% nanoparticles for an alternating current (AC) magnetic field. Our results demonstrate that the simplification of the synthetic methodology for magnetic nanoparticles with a high specific absorption rate (SAR) shows potential for hyperthermia application.