Magnetic Properties of Mg0.4Ca0.6Fe2O4 Nanoparticles Synthesized by Sol-Gel Method for Hyperthermia Treatment
Powders of Mg0.4Ca0.6Fe2O4were prepared by sol-gel using ethylene glycol and Mg, Ca and Fe nitrates as starting materials. Those powders were heat treated at different temperatures (300, 400, 500 and 600 °C) for 30 min. The materials obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The Ca-Mg ferrite with the most appropriate magnetic properties was further analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The heating capability of the nanoferrites was also tested via magnetic induction. The XRD patterns of these Ca-Mg ferrites showed a cubic inverse spinel structure. Furthermore, neither traces of hematite nor orthorhombic Ca ferrite phases were detected. Moreover, all the Ca-Mg ferrites are superparamagnetic and the particle size distribution of these Ca-Mg magnetic nanoparticles exhibits an average diameter within the range of 10-14 nm. The needed temperature for hyperthermia treatment was achieved at around 12 min.