Fabrication of core-shell CoFe2O4@HAp nanoparticles: A novel magnetic platform for biomedical applications

Cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) magnetic phase encased hydroxyapatite nanostructured particles (HAp) was successfully produced by a simple two-steps hydrothermal process, and the physico-chemico and magnetic properties are characterized. x-ray diffraction patterns and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the as-synthesized samples reveal that the nanoparticles are composed of both the phases. TEM analysis displays the encasing of the ferrite phase within the hydroxyapatite nanorods. Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) data confirmed that the saturation magnetization (Ms) and coercivity of fabricated magnetic nanorods were 9.01 emu/g and 0.1 T, respectively and exhibit ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. The heat treatment of the sample enhanced the saturation magnetization up to 77.5 emu/g when compared to the as-prepared HAp coated sample. The reason for this enhanced magnetic property after heat treatment is discussed based on the magnetic moment and anisotropy calculations. The potential cytocompatibility of the sample was confirmed by fibroblast 3T3 cells.