Magnetic hyperthermia behaviour of Co and reduced GO nanocomposites

Abstract

Co-precipitation of CoCl2.6H2O with graphene oxide (GO) and heating at 400°C for 4 h under hydrogen resulted in the construction of cobalt/ reduced GO (Co/rGO) nanocomposite utilisable in magnetic thermal therapy. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, thermogravimetric analysis/derivative thermogravimetry, and X-ray diffraction methods characterised the samples. Time-temperature curves of the samples containing 30, 50, 70, and 100 µg ml−1 Co/rGO nanoparticles (NPs) suspended in phosphate-buffered saline were determined at different specific heating rates. Magnetic-field response of Co/rGO nanocomposites was better than CoNPs and GO. The biological behaviour of the powders was investigated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Co/rGO nanocomposites showed an acceptable biocompatibility behaviour, whereas the CoNPs demonstrated toxic conduct.