We report on the suitability of core/shell nanoparticles (NPs) for magnetic fluid hyperthermia in a selfregulated and theranostic approach. Aqueous magnetic colloids based on core/shell ZnxMnyFezO4@γ-Fe2O3 and ZnxCoyFe-zO4@γ-Fe2O3 NPs were produced by a three-step chemical synthesis. Systematic deviations from stoichiometry was observed with increasing Zn substitution for both series of samples. We investigated how the chemical composition affects saturation magnetization, magnetic anisotropy and thermomagnetic properties of these core/shell NPs. The heating efficiency through specific power absorption (SPA) was analyzed in the framework of the linear response theory. SPA values obtained for NPs presenting different contrast of anisotropy between the core and shell materials indicate no evidence of enhanced exchange coupling contribution to the heating efficiency.

The heat produced by magnetic nanoparticles, when they are submitted to a time-varying magnetic field, has been used in many auspicious biotechnological applications. In the search for better performance in terms of the specific power absorption (SPA) index, researchers have studied the influence of the chemical composition, size and dispersion, shape, and exchange stiffness in morphochemical structures. Monodisperse assemblies of magnetic nanoparticles have been produced using elaborate synthetic procedures, where the product is generally dispersed in organic solvents. However, the colloidal stability of these rough dispersions has not received much attention in these studies, hampering experimental determination of the SPA. To investigate the influence of colloidal stability on the heating response of ferrofluids, we produced bimagnetic core@shell NPs chemically composed of a ZnMn mixed ferrite core covered by a maghemite shell. Aqueous ferrofluids were prepared with these samples using the electric double layer (EDL) as a strategy to maintain colloidal stability. By starting from a proper sample, ultrastable concentrated ferrofluids were achieved by both tuning the ion/counterion ratio and controlling the water content. As the colloidal stability mainly depends on the ion configuration on the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles, different levels of nanoparticle clustering are achieved by changing the ionic force and pH of the medium. Thus, the samples were submitted to two procedures of EDL destabilization, which involved dilution with an alkaline solution and a neutral pH viscous medium. The SPA results of all prepared ferrofluid samples show a reduction of up to half the efficiency of the standard sample when the ferrofluids are in a neutral pH or concentrated regime. Such results are explained in terms of magnetic dipolar interactions. Our results point to the importance of ferrofluid colloidal stability in a more reliable experimental determination of the NP heat generation performance.

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The present survey reports on the colloidal stability of aqueous dispersions of nitrogen-rich carbon nanodots (N-CDs). The N-CDs were synthesized by thermally induced decomposition of organic precursors and present an inner core constituted of a β - C 3 N 4 crystalline structure surrounded by a surface shell containing a variety of polar functional groups. N-CDs size and structure were checked by combined analysis of XRD (X-ray Diffraction) and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) measurements. FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) experiments revealed the presence of carboxyl and amide groups on N-CDs surface. Towards a better understanding of the relation between colloidal stability and surface charge development, zetametry experiments were applied in N-CDs dispersions at different pHs and constant ionic strength. The increase of the absolute values of zeta potential with the alkalinization of the dispersion medium is consistent with the deprotonation of carboxyl groups on N-CDs surface, which agrees with the macroscopic visual observations of long-term colloidal stability at pH 12. The saturation value of N-CDs surface charge density was evaluated by means of potentiometric-conductometric titrations. The difference between carboxyl-related surface charge and the one determined by zeta potential measurements point to the presence of oxidized nitrogen functionalities onto the N-CDs surface in addition to carboxyl groups. These novel results shed light on the electrostatic repulsion mechanism that allows for the remarkable colloidal stability of N-CDs dispersions.

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