Magnetic Nanoparticles: A Review of Chemical and Physical Characteristics Important in Medical Applications

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have demonstrated their great potentials in medical applications. Technology advancements in synthesis and modification of nanoscale materials have advanced the development of different medical applications of MNPs. This paper reviews the main chemical and physical properties of MNPs important in medical applications. Pharmacokinetics and cellular adsorb of MNPs are largely associated with their physicochemical characteristics. Superparamagnetic, high magnetic susceptibility, high coercivity, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, and low Curie temperature are crucial characteristics of MNPs making them appropriate for various medical applications. The three main categories of medical applications of MNPs are targeted drug delivery, magnetic hyperthermia, and contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. Among the main chemical and physical properties of MNPs, the most important ones are coercivity, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, high magnetic susceptibility, and morphology, hydrodynamic size, charge, and other surface properties