Magnetic and structural properties of CaO–SiO2–P2O5–Na2O–Fe2O3 glass ceramics

Magnetic properties of glass ceramics derived from glasses with composition 41CaO·(52−x)SiO2·4P2O5·xFe2O3·3Na2O (2⩽x⩽10 mol% iron oxide (Fe2O3)) are reported. Structural investigation revealed the presence of nanocrystalline magnetite phase in the heat-treated samples containing x⩾2 mol% Fe2O3. Magnetic hysteresis cycles of the glass-ceramic samples were obtained with a maximum applied field of ±20 kOe as well as a low field of ±500 Oe, in order to evaluate the potential of these glass ceramics for hyperthermia treatment of cancer. Samples with x>2 mol% of iron oxide exhibited magnetic behavior similar to soft magnetic materials with low coercivity. The evolution of magnetic properties in these samples as a function of iron oxide molar concentration is correlated with the amount and crystallite size of magnetite phase present in them.