Fe3O4–Mn3O4 nanocomposites with moderate magnetism for in vitro cytotoxicity studies on macrophages

Abstract

Dual magnetic iron oxide/manganese oxide nanocomposites have been synthesised by alkaline hydrolysis of a manganese precursor in the presence of preformed polyethylene glycol (PEG)-stabilised magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles. The formation of the nanocomposites has been characterised by absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, selected area electron diffraction patterns, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, elemental mapping, X-ray diffraction patterns, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and vibrating sample magnetometry. It has been shown that the synthesised Fe₃O₄–Mn₃O₄ nanocomposites exhibit reduced magnetism compared to the superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The moderate magnetism of the Fe₃O₄–Mn₃O₄ nanocomposites offers a viable platform for in vitro cytotoxicity studies on macrophages.