Design and Characterization of Polymer-Coated MgZn Ferrite Nanoparticles: A Glycol-Thermal Approach for Biomedical Application
Mthimkhulu SS* and Mdlalose WB
ABSTRACT
This study presents the synthesis and comprehensive evaluation of MgFe₂O₄, Mg₀.₅Zn₀.₅Fe₂O₄, and ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles for potential use in anticancer therapy. Nanoparticles were synthesized via a glycol-thermal method and coated with chitosan (CHI) to enhance biocompatibility and stability. Structural and magnetic properties were characterized using XRD, FTIR, TEM, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and VSM. XRD confirms the formation of a single-phase cubic spinel structure, with chitosan coating increasing crystallite size and lattice parameters. FTIR confirmed chitosan coating. TEM analysis revealed spherical morphology with reduced agglomeration post-coating. Mössbauer spectroscopy showed that MgFe₂O₄ and Mg0.Mg₀.₅Zn₀.₅Fe₂O₄ led to ferrimagnetic behaviour, while ZnFe₂O₄ resulted in paramagnetism. Magnetic measurements via VSM indicated superparamagnetic behaviour in all samples, with Mg₀.₅Zn₀.₅Fe₂O₄ exhibiting the highest saturation magnetization (68.49 emu/g). Cytotoxicity assays on CaCo-2 cells demonstrated that chitosan coating significantly improved biocompatibility, particularly for ZnFe₂O₄, raising cell viability above 100%. These findings highlight the potential of chitosancoated Mg-Zn ferrite nanoparticles as promising candidates for targeted drug delivery and anticancer applications.
