Ferrite nanomaterials are extensively studied for their use in the biomedical
field primarily because of their tunable magnetic properties and biocompatibility. The
use of magnetic nanomaterials, particularly the iron-based nanoparticles, for
hyperthermia treatment is one of the emerging applications. However, there are
practical constraints on the overall applicability of pure iron-oxide nanoparticles
(IONPs) for hyperthermia treatment. In this regard, doping foreign metal ions in the
crystal lattice of pure iron-oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) possessing a spinel or inversespinel structure remains to be the simplest approach for the purpose of improving the
desired properties. Doping other metal ions into the iron-oxide nanoparticles (IONPs)
causes strain in the crystal lattice and is responsible for engineering the structural
properties and magnetic properties. Various elements, such as the rare-earth (RE)
metals, especially the lanthanides [Yttrium, Gadolinium and Europium], the transition
metals [manganese, cobalt, nickel and zinc], and other metals [gold, silver, calcium,
titanium, copper and magnesium] are being investigated for their potential to serve as
dopants. The divalent transition metals [manganese, cobalt and nickel] doped ironoxide nanoparticles possess highly improved magnetic properties. Incorporating
trivalent ions of lanthanides improves the structural properties, magnetic properties,
and dielectric properties of the iron-oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). Moreover, doping
with zinc, gold and silver imparts the ion-oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) with
antibacterial properties while concurrently tuning their structural properties and
magnetic outputs.
Keywords: Doping, Iron-oxide nanoparticles, Lanthanides, Magnetic hyperthermia, Rare-earth metals.