Aim: Superparamagnetic cubic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were synthesized and functionalized with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) as a potential agent for cancer treatment. Methods: Monodisperse cubic IONPs with a high value of saturation magnetization were synthesized by thermal decomposition method and functionalized with DMSA via ligand exchange reaction, and their cytotoxic effects on HeLa cells were investigated. Results: DMSA functionalized cubic IONPs with an edge length of 24.5 ± 1.9 nm had a specific absorption rate value of 197.4 W/gFe (15.95 kA/m and 488 kHz) and showed slight cytotoxicity on HeLa cells when incubated with 3.3 × 1010, 6.6 × 1010 and 9.9 × 1010 NP/mL for 24, 48 and 72 h. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate both the cytotoxic effects of DMSA-coated cubic IONPs on HeLa cells and hyperthermia performance of these nanoparticles.

In this study, we analyzed the magneto-heating properties of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles, coated with a SiO2 shell for hyperthermia applications. The NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized and coated with SiO2 by chemical route and water in oil techniques, respectively. The size of core particles is ~5.6±0.1 nm and the thicknesses of the SiO2 layers around the core change from 0 nm to 14.1±0.1 nm by increasing the amount of tetraethyl orthosilicate from 0 ml to 2.5 mL during the synthesis process. The magnetic anisotropies, obtained from magnetic susceptibility measurements have the same behavior with the specific heat absorption ratio of the samples.

Micro/nanoparticles generated after the combustion of coal/lignite in the thermal power plants were modified with amino groups of (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES). These silane-based functional particles were applied in textile dye (xylenol orange, XO and methyl orange, MO) removal process to deal with an industrial wastewater problem. The maximum adsorption efficiencies of APTES coated micro/nanoparticles for MO and XO dye molecules were calculated to be around 98% and 75%, respectively. The adsorption behavior of the LCFA against dyes is also assessed by investigating the effect of adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH, and temperature. The optimum dye removal was observed at a pH of 4.0, and the equilibrium was achieved within 5 min. The maximum uptake capacities of LCFA-APTES for MO and XO dye molecules were calculated to be around 17.91 and 14.72 mg g−1, respectively. This value is approximately 3 − 5 times higher than the similar adsorbent in the literature. The uptake mechanism of MO and XO dyes onto LCFA-APTES is governed by electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding between dye molecules and APTES. The surface chemical modifications and the nature of functional groups were ascertained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The application of recovered micro/nanoparticles from solid wastes and their utilization for wastewater treatment is important not only for economy of developing countries but also for protecting the environment.