Synthesis of graphene oxide-Fe₃O₄ based nanocomposites using the mechanochemical method and in vitro magnetic hyperthermia

The study presented in this work consists of two parts: The first part is the synthesis of Graphene oxide-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites by a mechanochemical method which, is a mechanical process that is likely to yield extremely heterogeneous particles. The second part includes a study on the efficacy of these Graphene oxide-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites to kill cancerous cells. Iron powder, ball milled along with graphene oxide in a toluene medium, underwent a controlled oxidation process. Different phases of GO-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites were obtained based on the composition used for milling. As synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), alternating magnetic field (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Additionally, the magnetic properties required to obtain high SAR values (Specific Absorption Rate-Power absorbed per unit mass of the magnetic nanocomposite in the presence of an applied magnetic field) for the composite were optimized by varying the milling time. Nanocomposites milled for different extents of time have shown differential behavior for magneto thermic heating. The magnetic composites synthesized by the ball milled method were able to retain the functional groups of graphene oxide. The efficacy of the magnetic nanocomposites for killing of cancerous cells is studied in vitro using HeLa cells in the presence of an AC (Alternating Current) magnetic field. The morphology of the HeLa cells subjected to 10 min of AC magnetic field changed considerably, indicating the death of the cells.