Correlation between effects of the particle size and magnetic field strength on the magnetic hyperthermia efficiency of dextran-coated magnetite nanoparticles

A precise control of the particle size of dextran-coated magnetite nanoparticles (Dex-M NPs) was successfully performed by combination of co-precipitation and hydrothermal synthesis methods. The Dex-M NPs, in the size range 3.1-18.9 nm, were used to fabricate biocompatible magnetic fluids for application in magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT). The effects of the carrier fluid viscosity, particle size, and applied magnetic field strength (H-appl) on the specific loss power (SLP) of the Dex-M NPs were investigated at a fixed magnetic field frequency (f). The experimental results show that SLP of the larger Dex-M NPs significantly decreases for a highly viscous carrier fluid. Moreover, regardless of the carrier fluid viscosity, the particle size strongly affects the heating efficiency of the Dex-M NPs. SLP ranges from zero for the smallest Dex-M NPs (with particle size d = 3.1 nm) to 55.21 W/g for the largest ones (d = 18.9 nm) at H-appl = 28 kA/m and f = 120 kHz. The most important finding in our research is that, at a fixed frequency, the optimal size of the Dex-M NPs (the size that maximizes SLP) shows a rising trend by enhancing H-appl. In fact, the highest values of SLP at H-appl = 11 kA/m, 13 - 17.5 kA/m, and 19 - 28 kA/m are obtained for the Dex-M NPs with d = 11.5 nm, 15 nm, and 18.9 nm, respectively. The shift of optimal size to the higher values by increasing H-appl could shed light on the correlated effects of the particle size and H-appl on the heating efficiency of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and pave a new way toward the better tuning of them for an effective and biologically safe treatment.