Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2021) 136: 1118
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-021-02066-8

Regular Article

Multifunctional radioactive ZnO/NiFe₂O₄ nanocomposite for theranostic applications

¹ Cyclotron Facility, Nuclear Physics Department, Nuclear Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, 13759, Cairo, Egypt
² Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

^d hebrahim_hassan@yahoo.com

Received: 24 June 2021
Accepted: 12 October 2021
Published online: 8 November 2021

Abstract

A new approach is presented in this work for using developed nanomagnetic particles for magnetic hyperthermia and radio-diagnostic applications. A set of ZnO/Ni-ferrite composites were prepared with different concentrations of NiFe₂O₄ (0–25 wt%) in addition to pure ZnO and Ni-ferrite samples, using sol–gel technique. The samples were subjected to AC magnetic field to measure their specific absorption rate (SAR). It was noticed that the determined SAR increased from 6.5 W/g at 5 wt% to 110 W/g at 25 wt%, which represents about 40% of that for pure NiFe₂O₄. The sample of 15 wt% Ni-ferrite was selected for irradiation with 14.7 MeV proton beam at the cyclotron to convert some of its constituents to diagnostic radioisotopes. As a result of proton-induced reactions on Zn and Ni, several short-lived medical radioisotopes were produced such as ⁶⁸Ga (67.6 min), ⁶⁶Ga (9.4 h), ⁶⁷Ga (78.3 h) and ⁶¹Cu (3.3 h). The irradiated sample was analyzed at short and long cooling periods post-irradiation using high-resolution γ-ray spectroscopy coupled with high purity Ge detector. Based on the decay data, all the γ-ray spectral lines were identified and correlated with their origin. Then, the radioactivity at end of bombardment for each isotope was determined. The radioactive yields for positron emitters ⁶⁸Ga (263.86 MBq/µA h) and ⁶⁶Ga (33 MBq/µA h) were the highest values. Very low activity levels were detected for the other medium and long half-life radioisotopes (0.03–5 MBq/µA h). The combined magnetic properties and radiotracer isotopes in the prepared composites may allow a novel methodology for simultaneous treatment and diagnostic of cancer cells.