Broadband spectroscopy of the electromagnetic properties of aqueous ferrofluids for biomedical applications

This paper presents the results of a broadband spectroscopy study, over the frequency range 1 MHz–2 GHz, of the electromagnetic properties of a ferrofluid consisting of magnetite nanoparticles, with a mean magnetic size of 10 nm, dispersed in water. An innovative measurement approach and apparatus, allowing an accurate determination of the permeability, even in presence of a large permittivity, have been developed to characterize the suspension. The results obtained show a significant magnetic response over the whole analyzed frequency range, with a good agreement with the theoretical models describing the magnetization dynamics of these systems. Moreover, a strong dielectric response has been detected, which is in satisfactory agreement with the models developed to describe the dielectric behavior of charged nanoparticles suspended in aqueous solution. This result implies that measurement techniques able to determine both the permittivity and permeability become mandatory for a reliable determination of the magnetic properties of aqueous ferrofluids. The accuracy of the determined permeability spectrum is estimated to be of the order of few percent, so these results provide a reliable experimental basis to estimate how fruitful the use of magnetic nanoparticles can be in relevant biomedical applications.