Structural, Optical and Magnetic Properties of Superparamagnetic Fe3O4@TiO2 and Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 CoreShell Nanostructures

Abstract

Tailoring core-shell nanostructures using iron oxide core (Fe3O4) and titanium dioxide shell (TiO2) offer a promising multifunctional platform for multimodal cancer therapies. TiO2 shell exhibits photo-responsive optical properties suitable for optical imaging and phototherapies, while Fe3O4 magnetic core enables magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT). This present work reports synthesis and characterization from core-shell Fe3O4@TiO2 and Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 nanostructures. Structural and physical properties were evaluated using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HRSEM), Diffuse UV-Vis Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) and SQUID magnetometry. This work highlights the potential use of magnetic (core) and optically activated (shell) nanostructures for multimodal therapies assisted by magnetic hyperthermia.