Synthesis of magnetoliposomes with monodisperse iron oxide nanocrystal cores for hyperthermia

Heating rates generated by superparamagnetic particles deteriorate quickly with particle polydispersity. We prepared highly uniform, monodisperse, single-crystal magnetite nanoparticles of tailorable size via organometallic decomposition. As-synthesized nanocrystals were coated with phospholipids to form biocompatible magnetoliposomes. Modeling of AC-magnetic field parameters indicates that 11 nm nanocrystals have maximum heating rates within the biologically safe frequency range.