4 Core/Shell Bimagnetic Nanoparticles
103
be developed to obtaining multiple magnetotransport, or magnetoelectric responses.
Different magnetic characteristics, i.e., exchange spring, exchange bias, can be tuned
by choosing different hard/soft or soft/hard core/shell materials. Also, the tunnel
barrier can be modulated by modifying the shell structure and composition.
The versatility and ease production of the core/shell nanostructures were also
exploited in the biomedical field. For example, for magnetic fluid hyperthermia, it
is necessary to tune the nanoparticles magnetic properties in order to produce the
highest specific power loss for a given alternating magnetic field. Core/shell systems
are the suit material to pursue this goal since, as we have showed previously, proper
anisotropy and magnetization could be easily tuned by the exchange interaction [28,
34, 50]. The development of bifunctional nanoparticles also presents an exciting
perspective. For example, the incorporapproximately linearly with the Zn concentrationation of optical functionalities to magnetic nanoparticles could contribute to
the future development of magnetic fluid hyperthermia and its clinical application
by monitoring their presence in the intracellular medium in vitro through fluorescence microscopy. In this area, we can mention the development of bifunctional
CoFe 2 O 4 (core)/ZnO(shell) nanoparticles with simultaneous photoluminescence in
the visible range (shell) and optimized magnetic properties (core), suited for produce
AC magnetic losses for hyperthermia treatment [33], or for MRI contrast agent [61].
An important aspect that should be taken into account for biomedical applications is the biocompatibility of these nanostructures. The surface modification of
the nanoparticles, or its encapsulation with a biocompatible shell, could expand the
available materials in this area and its range of applications [12]. In particular, the
nanoparticles can be coated with silica [52] or hydroxyapatite [44], which could
improve the biocompatibility, the nanoparticle chemical stability, reduce the toxicity
and also the coating could provides an ideal support for subsequent functionalizations
with active organic molecules.
The challenge for the future is the development of new core/shell nanoparticles
systems where the properties are fundamentally determined by the interfaces. It is a
very active area where novel systems with new properties are continuously reported.
It is also an interdisciplinary field, with a tremendous impact in our society, impulsed
by the synergy between the advancement in the chemical and physical fabrication
methods together with the technological development of new characterization tools,
and with the impetus given by the huge demand for new magnetotransport and
magnetoelectronic devices or innovative biomedical therapies.
References
1. W. Baaziz, B.P. Pichon, C. Lefevre, C. Ulhaq-Bouillet, J.-M. Greneche, M. Toumi, T. Mhiri,
S. Bégin-ColinJ, Phys. Chem. C 117, 11436 (2013)
2. C.T. Black, C.B. Murray, R.L. Sandstrom, S. Sun, Science 290, 1131 (2000)
3. C. Binns, M.T. Qureshi, D. Peddis, S.H. Baker, P.B. Howes, A. Boatwright, S.A. Cavill, S.S.
Dhesi, L. Lari, R. Kröger, S. Langridge, Nano Lett. 13(7), 3334 (2013)
4. D.J. Carnevale, M. Shatruk, G.F. Strouse, Chem. Mater. 28(15), 5480 (2016)
103
be developed to obtaining multiple magnetotransport, or magnetoelectric responses.
Different magnetic characteristics, i.e., exchange spring, exchange bias, can be tuned
by choosing different hard/soft or soft/hard core/shell materials. Also, the tunnel
barrier can be modulated by modifying the shell structure and composition.
The versatility and ease production of the core/shell nanostructures were also
exploited in the biomedical field. For example, for magnetic fluid hyperthermia, it
is necessary to tune the nanoparticles magnetic properties in order to produce the
highest specific power loss for a given alternating magnetic field. Core/shell systems
are the suit material to pursue this goal since, as we have showed previously, proper
anisotropy and magnetization could be easily tuned by the exchange interaction [28,
34, 50]. The development of bifunctional nanoparticles also presents an exciting
perspective. For example, the incorporapproximately linearly with the Zn concentrationation of optical functionalities to magnetic nanoparticles could contribute to
the future development of magnetic fluid hyperthermia and its clinical application
by monitoring their presence in the intracellular medium in vitro through fluorescence microscopy. In this area, we can mention the development of bifunctional
CoFe 2 O 4 (core)/ZnO(shell) nanoparticles with simultaneous photoluminescence in
the visible range (shell) and optimized magnetic properties (core), suited for produce
AC magnetic losses for hyperthermia treatment [33], or for MRI contrast agent [61].
An important aspect that should be taken into account for biomedical applications is the biocompatibility of these nanostructures. The surface modification of
the nanoparticles, or its encapsulation with a biocompatible shell, could expand the
available materials in this area and its range of applications [12]. In particular, the
nanoparticles can be coated with silica [52] or hydroxyapatite [44], which could
improve the biocompatibility, the nanoparticle chemical stability, reduce the toxicity
and also the coating could provides an ideal support for subsequent functionalizations
with active organic molecules.
The challenge for the future is the development of new core/shell nanoparticles
systems where the properties are fundamentally determined by the interfaces. It is a
very active area where novel systems with new properties are continuously reported.
It is also an interdisciplinary field, with a tremendous impact in our society, impulsed
by the synergy between the advancement in the chemical and physical fabrication
methods together with the technological development of new characterization tools,
and with the impetus given by the huge demand for new magnetotransport and
magnetoelectronic devices or innovative biomedical therapies.
References
1. W. Baaziz, B.P. Pichon, C. Lefevre, C. Ulhaq-Bouillet, J.-M. Greneche, M. Toumi, T. Mhiri,
S. Bégin-ColinJ, Phys. Chem. C 117, 11436 (2013)
2. C.T. Black, C.B. Murray, R.L. Sandstrom, S. Sun, Science 290, 1131 (2000)
3. C. Binns, M.T. Qureshi, D. Peddis, S.H. Baker, P.B. Howes, A. Boatwright, S.A. Cavill, S.S.
Dhesi, L. Lari, R. Kröger, S. Langridge, Nano Lett. 13(7), 3334 (2013)
4. D.J. Carnevale, M. Shatruk, G.F. Strouse, Chem. Mater. 28(15), 5480 (2016)