Synthesis of Manganese Ferrite/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications

In this study, MnFe2O4 nanoparticle (MFNP)-decorated graphene oxide nanocomposites (MGONCs) are prepared through a simple mini-emulsion and solvent evaporation process. It is demonstrated that the loading of magnetic nanocrystals can be tuned by varying the ratio of graphene oxide/magnetic nanoparticles. On top of that, the hydrodynamic size range of the obtained nanocomposites can be optimized by varying the sonication time during the emulsion process. By fine-tuning the sonication time, MGONCs as small as 56.8 +/- 1.1 nm, 55.0 +/- 0.6 nm and 56.2 +/- 0.4 nm loaded with 6 nm, 11 nm, and 14 nm MFNPs, respectively, are successfully fabricated. In order to improve the colloidal stability of MGONCs in physiological solutions (e.g., phosphate buffered saline or PBS solution), MGONCs are further conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Heating by exposing MGONCs samples to an alternating magnetic field (AMF) show that the obtained nanocomposites are efficient hyperthermia agents. At concentrations as low as 0.1 mg Fe mL-1 and under an 59.99 kA m-1 field, the highest specific absorption rate (SAR) recorded is 1588.83 W g-1 for MGONCs loaded with 14 nm MFNPs. It is also demonstrated that MGONCs are promising as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 contrast agents. A T2 relaxivity value (r2) as high as 256.2 (mM Fe)-1 s-1 could be achieved with MGONCs loaded with 14 nm MFNPs. The cytotoxicity results show that PEGylated MGONCs exhibit an excellent biocompatibility that is suitable for biomedical applications.