Multifunctional nanoparticles composed of MnFe₂O₄ were encapsulated in chitosan for investigation of system to combine magnetically-triggered drug delivery and localized hyperthermia for cancer treatment with the previously published capacity of MnFe₂O₄ to be used as an efficient MRI contrast agent for cancer diagnosis. This paper focuses on the synthesis and characterization of magnetic MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles, their dispersion in water and their incorporation in chitosan, which serves as a drug carrier. The surface of the MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles was modified with meso-2,3-di-mercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) to develop stable aqueous dispersions. The nanoparticles were coated with chitosan, and the magnetic properties, heat generation and hydrodynamic size of chitosan-coated MnFe₂O₄ were evaluated for various linker concentrations and in a range of pH conditions.
Keywords: MnFe2O4 nanoparticles; chitosan; drug delivery; magnetic hyperthermia; multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles.