Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle (IONP) Synthesis to Applications: Present and Future

Abstract

Iron oxides are chemical compounds which have different polymorphic forms, including γ-Fe2O3 (maghemite), Fe3O4 (magnetite), and FeO (wustite). Among them, the most studied are γ-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4, as they possess extraordinary properties at the nanoscale (such as super paramagnetism, high specific surface area, biocompatible etc.), because at this size scale, the quantum effects affect matter behavior and optical, electrical and magnetic properties. Therefore, in the nanoscale, these materials become ideal for surface functionalization and modification in various applications such as separation techniques, magnetic sorting (cells and other biomolecules etc.), drug delivery, cancer hyperthermia, sensing etc., and also for increased surface area-to-volume ratio, which allows for excellent dispersibility in the solution form. The current methods used are partially and passively mixed reactants, and, thus, every reaction has a different proportion of all factors which causes further difficulties in reproducibility. Direct active and complete mixing and automated approaches could be solutions to this size- and shape-controlled synthesis, playing a key role in its exploitation for scientific or technological purposes. An ideal synthesis method should be able to allow reliable adjustment of parameters and control over the following: fluctuation in temperature; pH, stirring rate; particle distribution; size control; concentration; and control over nanoparticle shape and composition i.e., crystallinity, purity, and rapid screening. Iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP)-based available clinical applications are RNA/DNA extraction and detection of infectious bacteria and viruses. Such technologies are important at POC (point of care) diagnosis. IONPs can play a key role in these perspectives. Although there are various methods for synthesis of IONPs, one of the most crucial goals is to control size and properties with high reproducibility to accomplish successful applications. Using multiple characterization techniques to identify and confirm the oxide phase of iron can provide better characterization capability. It is very important to understand the in-depth IONP formation mechanism, enabling better control over parameters and overall reaction and, by extension, properties of IONPs. This work provides an in-depth overview of different properties, synthesis methods, and mechanisms of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) formation, and the diverse range of their applications. Different characterization factors and strategies to confirm phase purity in the IONP synthesis field are reviewed. First, properties of IONPs and various synthesis routes with their merits and demerits are described. We also describe different synthesis strategies and formation mechanisms for IONPs such as for: wustite (FeO), hematite (α-Fe2O3), maghemite (ɤ-Fe2O3) and magnetite (Fe3O4). We also describe characterization of these nanoparticles and various applications in detail. In conclusion, we present a detailed overview on the properties, size-controlled synthesis, formation mechanisms and applications of IONPs.

Green Synthesis: An Eco-friendly Route for the Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

“…Out of bacteria and fungi, fungi is considered as an excellent source for the synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles. The main reason for its wide usage is its capability to secrete large amount of enzymes and withstand flow pressure and agitation (Gudikandulaand Maringanti, 2016;Singh et al, 2018;Ajinkya et al, 2020).…”

Biosynthesized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles from Petroselinum crispum Leaf Extract Mitigate Lead-Acetate-Induced Anemia in Male Albino Rats: Hematological, Biochemical and Histopathological Features

“…The chemical reaction of Fe 3 O 4 precipitation is given in Equations ( 1) and (2). The overall reaction [36] (2). Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 NPs) were prepared by using aqueous leaf extracts of Petroselinum crispum as described earlier [22,37].…”

Nanoencapsulation of basil essential oil alleviates the oxidative stress, genotoxicity and DNA damage in rats exposed to biosynthesized iron nanoparticles

“…Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) are widely used for different biomedical and bioengineering applications including cell labeling and cancer therapy ( Zhu et al., 2017 ), drug delivery and magnetic resonance imaging ( Dadfar et al., 2019 ; Mohammed et al., 2017 ). Moreover, iron works as a double-edged sword where it is used as a food supplement at fairly low levels but if its level exceeds the range of human tolerance, toxic effects such as nausea, celialgia, and even death occurred ( Ajinkya et al., 2020 ).…”