The synthesis and characterization of copper-nickel alloy nanoparticles with a therapeutic Curie point using the microemulsion method

Magnetic particles with a controlled Curie temperature were prepared by reducing a Ni,Cu-hydrazine complex that was synthesized in a compartmentalized state of reverse micelles. The planned Curie temperature of 43 degrees C was achieved by a thermally activated homogenization of as-prepared alloy particles embedded in a NaCl salt environment. The particles were superparamagnetic with a blocking temperature of 16.5 K and a room-temperature magnetization of 2.5 emu/g. The particles exhibited a therapeutic Curie temperature that is suitable for self-regulating magnetic hyperthermia. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.