Superparamagnetic β-NaFeO₂: A novel, efficient and biocompatible nanoparticles for treatment of cancer by nanohyperthermia

Superparamagnetic and biocompatible β-NaFeO₂ nanoparticles have been examined for treatment of cancer by nanohyperthermia. The synthesized nanoparticles and their nanofluid have been characterized by various techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential, nanohyperthermia and in vitro cytotoxicity. DLS study has been conducted to find hydrodynamic radius of the nanoparticles and it revealed that for 10 day of ageing hydrodynamic radius for synthesized nanoparticles is 64 nm. Zeta potential study has been carried out to understand electro-kinetic parameters of nanofluid. The synthesized nanoparticles possess Zeta potential +37.48 mV to −43.51 mV for varying pH from 1 to 12. The isoelectric point has been observed at pH 3.43. The nanohyperthermia study has been done by measuring induction heating characteristics of nanofluid. The field 251.4 Oe has been found to be the best suitable field for the treatment of cancer by hyperthermia. The in vitro cytotoxicity of synthesized β-NaFeO₂ nanoparticles has been carried on HeLa cancer cell line. The mechanisms responsible for induction heating, electro-kinetic properties and hydrodynamic radius changes have been discussed. (paper)