Nanocomposites Based on Iron Oxide and Carbonaceous Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Their Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Nanocomposites based on Fe₃O₄ and carbonaceous nanoparticles (CNPs), including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene derivatives (graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO)), such as Fe₃O₄@GO, Fe₃O₄@RGO, and Fe₃O₄@CNT, have demonstrated considerable potential in a number of health applications, including tissue regeneration and innovative cancer treatments such as hyperthermia (HT). This is due to their ability to transport drugs and generate localized heat under the influence of an alternating magnetic field on Fe₃O₄. Despite the promising potential of CNTs and graphene derivatives as drug delivery systems, their use in biological applications is hindered by challenges related to dispersion in physiological media and particle agglomeration. Hence, a solid foundation has been established for the integration of various synthesis techniques for these nanocomposites, with the wet co-precipitation method being the most prevalent. Moreover, the dimensions and morphology of the composite nanoparticles are directly correlated with the value of magnetic saturation, thus influencing the efficiency of the composite in drug delivery and other significant biomedical applications. The current demand for this type of material is related to the loading of a larger quantity of drugs within the hybrid structure of the carrier, with the objective of releasing this amount into the tumor cells. A second demand refers to the biocompatibility of the drug carrier and its capacity to permeate cell membranes, as well as the processes occurring within the drug carriers. The main objective of this paper is to review the synthesis methods used to prepare hybrids based on Fe₃O₄ and CNPs, such as GO, RGO, and CNTs, and to examinate their role in the formation of hybrid nanoparticles and the correlation between their morphology, the dimensions, and optical/magnetic properties.

Keywords: Fe3O4; anti-cancer therapy; bone tissue engineering; carbon nanotubes; composites; drug delivery; graphene oxide; hyperthermia; nanoparticles; reduced graphene oxide.

Figure 1

Method of precipitation used for the formation of composite based on Fe₃O₄ and CNPs, either CNTs or GO. Diagram created with Chemix (2024). Retrieved from https://chemix.org Accessed on 4 October 2024.

Figure 2

Method of heterocoagulation used for the formation of composite based on Fe₃O₄ and CNPs, either CNTs or GO.

Figure 3

Low-magnification TEM images of (a) GO, (b) M-GO, (c) RGO, and (d) M-RGO [19]. Figure reused with permission from [19]. Copyright 2017 Elsevier.

Figure 4

(a) XRD pattern, (b) Raman spectroscopy, (c) FTIR, and (d) XPS spectra of prepared materials [19]. Figure reused with permission from [19]. Copyright 2017 Elsevier.

Figure 5

TEM microphotographs of fCNTs (a), H1 (b), and H4 (c) size distribution of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ within hybrid materials (d); XRD patterns of H1 (i) and H4 (ii) (e); and the magnetic hysteresis loops of H1 (i) and H4 (ii) (f), where H1 represents 1:1 ratio of fCNTs: Fe₃O₄, while H4 is represented by 1:4 ratio of fCNTs: Fe₃O₄ (figure reused with permission from [23]). Copyright 2019 Elsevier.

Figure 6

The optimization of the Fe₃O₄ surface with graphene derivatives to obtain a biocompatible composite capable of being used in cellular environments for biomedical applications. Diagram created with Chemix (2024). Retrieved from https://chemix.org. Accessed on 9 October 2024.

Figure 7

Diagram of the drug deliveries in both in vitro (a) and in vivo experimental studies (b) implying composites of graphene derivatives, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, and anthracycline c hemotherapeutic drugs. Diagram created with Chemix (2024). Retrieved from https://chemix.org. Accessed on 10 October 2024.

Figure 8

Composites of CNTs/graphene derivatives in conjunction with iron oxide nanoparticles to facilitate BTE through the stimulation of osteogenic cells.