Russian chemists have developed a fluid that can be rapidly heated by a magnetic field and used for targeted tumor treatment. The material consists of water and stable cobalt and iron nanoparticles. Additionally, it can accelerate oxidative reactions similar to the natural enzyme peroxidase. As reported by the RNF press service, the development may find application not only in tumor therapy but also in medical diagnostics.
The main feature of the material is that its nanoparticles do not clump together. For magnetic fluids, this is a serious problem, as particles of iron, cobalt, their alloys, and other magnetic materials often combine into larger structures, making them more difficult to use.
Usually, special coatings are used to prevent nanoparticles from clumping. However, many such coatings are toxic to humans or degrade the properties of the particles themselves and interfere with changing their surface characteristics.
Russian researchers proposed a different approach. They obtained non-toxic nanoparticles from a mixture of cobalt and iron oxides. When placed in neutral or alkaline water, the surface of the particles acquires a positive charge. This creates a protective shell around the nanostructures, causing the particles to repel each other instead of clumping.
Then, the scientists selected a ratio of cobalt and iron at which the nanoparticles heat up most strongly under the influence of a magnetic field. Simultaneously, they maximally accelerate oxidative reactions.
Despite the existence of many similar magnetic materials, ours stands out for its simple chemical composition, which makes it easy to work with.
According to the specialist, stable solutions of such nanoparticles can be used instead of expensive enzymes in the creation of biosensors, as contrast agents for MRI, and in devices requiring thin magnetic layers. The obtained nanostructures can be used for targeted tumor therapy, the creation of biosensors, and highly sensitive test systems for diagnosing oncological and infectious diseases.