A wide-frequency range AC magnetometer to measure the specific absorption rate in nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia

Measurement of specific absorption rate (SAR) of magnetic nanoparticles is crucial to assert their potential for magnetic hyperthermia. To perform this task, calorimetric methods are widely used. However, those methods are not very accurate and are difficult to standardize. In this paper, we present AC magnetometry results performed with a lab made magnetometer that is able to obtain dynamic hysteresis loops in the AC magnetic field frequency range from 50 kHz to 1 MHz and intensities up to 24 kA m(-1) In this work, SAR values of maghemite nanoparticles dispersed in water are measured by AC magnetometry. The so obtained values are compared with the SAR measured by calorimetric methods. Both measurements, by calorimetry and magnetometry, are in good agreement. Therefore, the presented AC magnetometer is a suitable way to obtain SAR values of magnetic nanoparticles. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.