Magnetic Polymer Composite as a Thermosensitive Agent for Induced Hyperthermia

Abstract

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) - magnetite (Fe3O4) blended compounds were produced by high speed vibration milling of PEEK-Fe 3O4 powders exposed to hexane and heated to the melting point (~350 ยฐC) to form the homogeneous magnetic polymer composite, which provided a uniform dispersion of magnetite with low agglomerations in the polymer matrix. Polymer composite with 10 wt.% of magnetite displayed a magnetic saturation of 8 emu/g, tensile strength of 60 MPa and Youngโ€™s modulus of 4.4 GPa. Biotoxicity assessment was conducted via in vitro assay. The composite did not induce any adverse reactions, permitting use in medical applications. This study develops analytical relationships and computation of power dissipation of a magnetic material subjected to an alternating magnetic field. Calorimetric measurements of specific power absorption showed about 202 W/g upon cancelling the Brownian motion of magnetite through the encapsulation of the magnetic particles within the polymeric matrices leaving only Neel as the heat loss mechanism

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