Green Synthesis of Magnetic Ferrites (Fe₃O₄, CoFe₂O₄, and NiFe₂O₄) Stabilized by Aloe Vera Extract for Cancer Hyperthermia Activities

Abstract

The magnetic nanoferrites (Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sub> O <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</sub> , CoFe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> O <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</sub> , and NiFe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> O <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</sub> ) were synthesized via hydrothermal method using an aloe vera plant extract solution. Magnetic nanoferrites were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), field emission electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS). Cytotoxicity was obtained using the water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST) assay. X-ray diffraction analysis also demonstrated that the size range of the nanoferrites exhibited average diameters of 6–28 nm and also exhibited high crystallinity. Results showed that all the metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are magnetic with saturation values of Fe = 52 emu/g, Co = 33 emu/g, and Ni = 20.43 emu/g. The magnetic nanoferrites exhibited a high cell viability rate at high concentrations and as shown from the optical images of the cells signifies their nontoxic and biocompatibility property. From SEM and TEM, the spherical structure was noticeable and the particle size is also in accordance with XRD. The chemical states for each NP also confirmed the successful synthesis of each nanoferrite. Not to mention, the heating capabilities of the nanoferrites were investigated and showed significant temperature increase of 6 °C–8 °C and acceptable specific absorption rate (SAR) values. Interestingly, the results assure that the materials would be suitable as magnetic mediators for magnetic hyperthermia application for cancer treatment.