Synthesis of Calcium Ferrite Nanoparticles (CaFe2O4-NPs) Using Auto-Combustion Method for Targeted Drug Delivery

Abstract

In this paper, we report the synthesis process development of calcium ferrite nanoparticles (CaFe2O4 NPs) using auto-combustion method. The process started by mixing the calcium nitrate Ca (NO2)3 and ferric nitrate Fe (NO3)3 dissolved in 150mL of distilled water with an addition of citric acid as a chelating agent. The mixture was synthesized through sol-gel combustion method and then calcined at 550°C to obtain powders. The crystalline structure and surface morphology of CaFe2O4 NPs were observed and characterized by using XRD and FESEM measurement, while the magnetic property of the synthesize particles was analyzed by using VSM. Analysis results through XRD showed that an orthorhombic structure of calcium ferrite NPs was observed. The analysis using the transmission electron microscopy (FESEM) and VSM measurement showed that the particle size of CaFe2O4 nanoparticles ranging from 5 to 20 nm was obtained. While the magnetic saturation (Ms) was 31.1emu/g for auto-combustion method with good magnetic properties. The magnetic property of the synthesized particles was also compared with that synthesized using a standard sol-gel method. This work will give important information about an alternative technique to synthesize the Calcium Ferrite magnetic nanoparticles used for targeted drug delivery application.