Development of hybrid nanomaterials based on MXene/Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles for photo-magnetic hyperthermia applications

Abstract

MXenes are two-dimensional transition metal carbides that have emerged as versatile nanomaterials. Their distinctive physicochemical properties and surface characteristics2 make them ideal platforms for engineering hybrid nanomaterials. The combination of MXenes and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) into a single nano-object leads to materials with interesting properties (ferrimagnetism, mechanical strength, and conductivity, etc.) for a broad range of applications. MXenes exhibit good compatibility and excellent photothermal (PTT) properties; while MNPs, particularly iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), are exploited for biomedical applications through magnetic hyperthermia (MHT). This work focuses on the development of hybrid nanomaterials combining MXenes and IONPs, prepared through a simple, holistic, and reproducible method. The surface of delaminated MXenes (dMXenes) sheets was covered with well-defined shape IONPs of 14 nm. We have used faceted nanoparticles, to achieve point-of-reference magnetic hyperthermia performance. The surface loading of IONPs on the MXenes was controlled by varying the MXene-to-MNPs mass ratio from 10:90 to 90:10. The potential of the hybrids for photo-magnetic hyperthermia was evaluated using near-infrared (NIR) light (1064 nm, 1 W) and alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) of 9.5–17.0 kA/m and 282 kHz, determining their specific absorption rates (SAR) values. While for MHT, SAR values are up to 150 W/g (Fe3O4) for 50:50 hybrid, the characterization of this new nanomaterial revealed a synergistic behavior in PTT, achieving SAR values up to 577 and 1106 W/g (hybrid), for 50:50 and 70:30 mass ratio hybrids, respectively. This work demonstrates the heat dissipation capability of MXene/IONPs hybrids under AMFs and via laser excitation.