Protein-passivated FeNi3 particles with low toxicity and high inductive heating efficiency for thermal therapy

Magnetic micro/nanoparticles have great potential to be used in drug delivery and magnetic hyperthermia for cancer therapy. Here we report a novel chemical approach for the fabrication of protein-coated FeNi3 particles for use as thermal therapeutic agents. The particles are composed of metallic FeNi3 cores and coated with bovine serum albumin (BSA). The FeNi3@BSA composite particles demonstrate typical ferromagnetism with saturation magnetization (Ms) about 50 emu/g and coercivity 150 Oe or so. Due to the encapsulation of protein layer, the FeNi3@BSA composite particles exhibit low toxicity and superior biocompatibility. As-prepared FeNi3@BSA particles demonstrate higher heating efficiency compared with that of superparamagnetic ferrite nanoparticles (NPs).

Graphical abstractFerromagnetic FeNi3@BSA core@shell structured microspheres have been prepared by a novel ethanol-induced degeneration method. Due to the encapsulation of protein layer, the FeNi3@BSA composite particles exhibit low toxicity and superior biocompatibility. Moreover, as-prepared FeNi3@BSA particles possess typical ferromagnetism and demonstrate higher heating efficiency compared with that of superparamagnetic ferrite nanoparticles.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A novel ethanol-induced degeneration method is proposed to prepare FeNi3@BSA particles. ► The FeNi3@BSA particles possess ferromagnetism with Ms about 50 emu/g and coercivity 150 Oe. ► The FeNi3@BSA composite particles exhibit low toxicity and superior biocompatibility. ► The particles demonstrate higher heating efficiency compared with that of ferrite NPs.