Synthesis and Characterization of Multifunctional Chitosan-MnFe(2)O(4) Nanoparticles for Magnetic Hyperthermia and Drug Delivery

Multifunctional nanoparticles composed of MnFe(2)O(4) were encapsulated in chitosan for investigation of system to combine magnetically-triggered drug delivery and localized hyperthermia for cancer treatment with the previously published capacity of MnFe(2)O(4) to be used as an efficient MRI contrast agent for cancer diagnosis. This paper focuses on the synthesis and characterization of magnetic MnFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles, their dispersion in water and their incorporation in chitosan, which serves as a drug carrier. The surface of the MnFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles was modified with meso-2,3-di-mercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) to develop stable aqueous dispersions. The nanoparticles were coated with chitosan, and the magnetic properties, heat generation and hydrodynamic size of chitosan-coated MnFe(2)O(4) were evaluated for various linker concentrations and in a range of pH conditions.