Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of Carbon Nanotube-iron Oxide Nanoparticle Composites for Hyperthermia: a Review

Magnetic inducing hyperthermia (MIH) is gaining great popularity due to its good targeted therapy and less side effects. Magnetic agents play a crucial role in this technique. As novel candidates, recently, carbon nanotubes/iron oxide nanoparticles composites have demonstrated great potential in MIH by combining the unique characteristics of carbon nanotubes with the excellent magnetic properties of iron oxides. In this article, we review the recent advances in the synthesis of these composites. The formation mechanisms of composites by methods such as co-precipitation, thermal decomposition, solvothermal method, in suit growth, electron beam evaporation and microwave plasma torch etc. are discussed and, with the emphases on the coercivity and saturation magnetization, the magnetic properties of composites are also summarized. Then the main challenges facing the clinic applications of these composites are addressed. It is likely that this summary can provide referential information for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes/iron oxide nanoparticles composites with improved magnetic property for MIH.