arXiv subjects

C. Marquina

Publications and source records attributed to C. Marquina.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Second-Harmonic Magnetoacoustic Ultrasound from Magnetic Nanoparticles under Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields

We report experimental evidence of mechanical wave generation by magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) under radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs, 65mT, 800 kHz, at 100ms bursts) in the ultrasonic (US) frequency range. We developed an experimental setup to detect the second harmonic (SH) signal under isothermal conditions. This SH-US signal was observed only in samples containing MNPs and consequently originated from the EMF interaction on samples containing MNPs. These findings suggest that US generation due to magneto-acoustic interaction in the MNPs could be responsible for the cell damage induced by EMF in cells containing MNPs without increasing the temperature. Experiments performed on magnetically aligned MNP clusters in gelatin significantly enhance the amplitude of the SH signal compared to non-aligned samples. This phenomenon could pave the way for new theoretical and practical approaches as for 'in vivo' magnetoacoustics theragnostic.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2015

Validity of the Néel-Arrhenius model for highly anisotropic Co_xFe_{3-x}O_4 nanoparticles

We report a systematic study on the structural and magnetic properties of Co_{x}Fe_{3-x}O_{4} magnetic nanoparticles with sizes between $5$ to $25$ nm, prepared by thermal decomposition of Fe(acac)_{3} and Co(acac)_{2}. The large magneto-crystalline anisotropy of the synthesized particles resulted in high blocking temperatures ($42$ K \leqq $T_B$ $\leqq 345$ K for $5 \leqq$ d $\leqq 13$ nm ) and large coercive fields ($H_C \approxeq 1600$ kA/m for $T = 5$ K). The smallest particles ($ =5$ nm) revealed the existence of a magnetically hard, spin-disordered surface. The thermal dependence of static and dynamic magnetic properties of the whole series of samples could be explained within the Néel-Arrhenius relaxation framework without the need of ad-hoc corrections, by including the thermal dependence of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant $K_1(T)$ through the empirical Brükhatov-Kirensky relation. This approach provided $K_1(0)$ values very similar to the bulk material from either static or dynamic magnetic measurements, as well as realistic values for the response times ($τ_0 \simeq 10^{-10}$ s). Deviations from the bulk anisotropy values found for the smallest particles could be qualitatively explained based on Zener\'{}s relation between $K_1(T)$ and M(T).

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2012

Application of magnetically induced hyperthermia on the model protozoan Crithidia fasciculata as a potential therapy against parasitic infections

Magnetic hyperthermia is currently an EU-approved clinical therapy against tumor cells that uses magnetic nanoparticles under a time varying magnetic field (TVMF). The same basic principle seems promising against trypanosomatids causing Chagas disease and sleeping sickness, since therapeutic drugs available display severe side effects and drug-resistant strains. However, no applications of this strategy against protozoan-induced diseases have been reported so far. In the present study, Crithidia fasciculata, a widely used model for therapeutic strategies against pathogenic trypanosomatids, was targeted with Fe_{3}O_{4} magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in order to remotely provoke cell death using TVMFs. The MNPs with average sizes of d approx. 30 nm were synthesized using a precipitation of FeSO_{4}4 in basic medium. The MNPs were added to Crithidia fasciculata choanomastigotes in exponential phase and incubated overnight. The amount of uploaded MNPs per cell was determined by magnetic measurements. Cell viability using the MTT colorimetric assay and flow cytometry showed that the MNPs were incorporated by the cells with no noticeable cell-toxicity effects. When a TVMF (f = 249 kHz, H = 13 kA/m) was applied to MNP-bearing cells, massive cell death was induced via a non-apoptotic mechanism. No effects were observed by applying a TVMF on control (without loaded MNPs) cells. No macroscopic rise in temperature was observed in the extracellular medium during the experiments. Scanning Electron Microscopy showed morphological changes after TVMF experiments. These data indicate (as a proof of principle) that intracellular hyperthermia is a suitable technology to induce the specific death of protozoan parasites bearing MNPs. These findings expand the possibilities for new therapeutic strategies that combat parasitic infections.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2011

Cell death induced by the application of alternating magnetic fields to nanoparticle-loaded dendritic cells

In this work, the capability of primary, monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) to uptake iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is assessed and a strategy to induce selective cell death in these MNP-loaded DCs using external alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) is reported. No significant decrease in the cell viability of MNP-loaded DCs, compared to the control samples, was observed after five days of culture. The amount of MNPs incorporated into the cytoplasm was measured by magnetometry, which confirmed that 1 to 5 pg of the particles were uploaded per cell. The intracellular distribution of these MNPs, assessed by transmission electron microscopy, was found to be primarily inside the endosomic structures. These cells were then subjected to an AMF for 30 min, and the viability of the blank DCs (i.e., without MNPs), which were used as control samples, remained essentially unaffected. However, a remarkable decrease of viability from approximately 90% to 2-5% of DCs previously loaded with MNPs was observed after the same 30 min exposure to an AMF. The same results were obtained using MNPs having either positive (NH2+) or negative (COOH-) surface functional groups. In spite of the massive cell death induced by application of AMF to MNP-loaded DCs, the amount of incorporated magnetic particles did not raise the temperature of the cell culture. Clear morphological changes at the cell structure after magnetic field application were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Therefore, local damage produced by the MNPs could be the main mechanism for the selective cell death of MNP-loaded DCs under an AMF. Based on the ability of these cells to evade the reticuloendothelial system, these complexes combined with an AMF should be considered as a potentially powerful tool for tumour therapy.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2011

Magnetic properties and energy absorption of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia

We have studied the magnetic and power absorption properties of three samples of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles with sizes from 5 to 12 nm prepared by thermal decomposition of Fe (acac)3 and Co(acac)2 at high temperatures. The blocking temperatures TB estimated from magnetization M(T) curves spanned the range 180 < TB < 320 K, reflecting the large magnetocrystalline anisotropy of these nanoparticles. Accordingly, high coercive fields HC \approx 1.4 - 1.7 T were observed at low temperatures. Specific Power Absorption (SPA) experiments carried out in ac magnetic fields indicated that, besides particle volume, the effective magnetic anisotropy is a key parameter determining the absorption efficiency. SPA values as high as 98 W/g were obtained for nanoparticles with average size of \approx12 nm.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2009

Magnetic Nanoparticles for Power Absorption: optimizing size, shape and magnetic properties

We present a study on the magnetic properties of naked and silica-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles with sizes between 5 and 110 nm. Their efficiency as heating agents was assessed through specific power absorption (SPA) measurements as a function of particle size and shape. The results show a strong dependence of the SPA with the particle size, with a maximum around 30 nm, as expected for a Neel relaxation mechanism in single-domain particles. The SiO2 shell thickness was found to play an important role in the SPA mechanism by hindering the heat outflow, thus decreasing the heating efficiency. It is concluded that a compromise between good heating efficiency and surface functionality for biomedical purposes can be attained by making the SiO2 functional coating as thin as possible.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Direct evidence of the orbital contribution to the magnetic moment in AA'FeReO6 double perovskites

Spin and orbital magnetic moments of Re in AA'FeReO6 double perovskites (A,A' = Ba, Sr, Ca) have been directly probed employing XMCD spectroscopy at the Re L2,3-edges. A considerable orbital magnetic moment is observed in all the studied compounds despite octahedral coordination. Relative orbital to spin contribution per Re atom rises with lattice distortion from mL/mS = -0.28 to -0.34 for AA'=Ba2FeReO6 and Ca2FeReO6, respectively. A preliminary XMCD measurements at the Fe L2,3-edges reveals also a significant orbital moment of iron in Ca2FeReO6. The relation of the results to the magnetic properties of the compounds is discussed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2001

Giant anisotropic magnetostriction in Pr$_{0.5}$Sr$_{0.5}$MnO$_3$

Magnetic, linear thermal expansion (LTE), anisotropic ($λ_t$) and volume ($ω$) magnetostriction properties of Pr$_{0.5}$Sr$_{0.5}$MnO$_3$ were investigated. The LTE decreases smoothly from 300 K without a clear anomaly either around the Curie (T$_C$ = 270 K) or the Neel temperature (T$_N$ = 100 K) and it exhibits hysteresis over a wide temperature range (60 K-270 K) upon warming. Isothermal magnetization study suggests that 13 % of the ferromagnetic phase coexists with 87 % of the antiferromagnetic phase at 25 K. The parallel and perpendicular magnetostrictions undergo rapid changes during the metamagnetic transition. Contrary to the isotropic giant volume magnetostriction reported in manganites so far, this compound exhibits a giant anisotropic magnetostriction ($λ_t \approx 10^{-3}$) and smaller volume ($ω\approx 10^{-4}$) magnetostrictions below T$_N$. We suggest that the field induced antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition is accompanied by a structural transition from the d$_{x^2-y^2}$ orbital ordered antiferromagnetic (orthorhombic) to the orbital disordered ferromagnetic (tetragonal) phase. The metamagnetic transition proceeds through nucleation and growth of the ferromagnetic domains at the expense of the antiferromagnetic phase. The preferential orientation of the ferromagnetic (tetragonal) domains along the field direction increases the linear dimension of the sample in the field direction and decreases in the orthogonal direction leading to the observed giant anisotropic magnetostriction effect. Our study also suggests that nanodomains of the low temperature antiferromagnetic phase possibly exist in the temperature region T$_N$ < T < T$_C$.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2001

Lattice coupled first order magnetoresistance transition in an A-type antiferromagnet: Pr$_{0.46}$Sr$_{0.54}$MnO$_3$

We investigated magnetic, magnetotransport and magnetostriction properties of the A-type antiferromagnet Pr$_{0.46}$Sr$_{0.54}$MnO$_3$ which undergoes a first order paramagnetic-antiferromagnetic transition below T$_N$ = 210 K while cooling and T$_N$ = 215 K while warming. The zero field ($μ_0$H = 0 T) resistivity shows a sudden jump at T$_N$ and a small bump around T$_{max}$ = 220 K (\TEXTsymbol{>} T$_N$). T$_N$ shifts down and T$_{max}$ shifts up with increasing $μ_0$H. Magnetoresistance as high as -45-57 % at 7 T is found in the temperature range 180 K-230 K. Isothermal measurements indicate that the field induced antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition below T$_N$ is accompanied by a rapid decrease of the resistivity but increase of volume ($Δ$V/V = +0.25 % at 180 K and 13.7 T). This lattice coupled magnetoresistance transition is suggested due to the field induced structural transition from the low volume orthorhombic to the high volume tetragonal structure.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2001

Magnetic-field -induced structural changes in the electron doped manganites: CaxSm1-xMnO3 (x = 0.8, 0.85)

We studied the correlation between magnetic, electrical, structural, and magnetostriction properties of the electron doped manganites Ca$_x$Sm$_{1-x}$MnO$_3$ (x = 0.85, 0.8). The paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition in both the compounds while cooling is accompanied by an abrupt increase of the spontaneous volume thermal expansion ($Δ$V/V = 0.07 % for x = 0.85 and 0.25 % for x = 0.2). The x = 0.15 exhibits multiple phase separation at 5 K: G-type, and C-type antiferromagnetic phases in orthorhombic (\QTR{it}{Pnma}) and monoclinic (\QTR{it}{P2}$_1$\QTR{it}{/m}) structures respectively. Magnetic study on x = 0.85 also suggest ferromagnetic regions possibly in $Pnma$ structure coexist with the antiferromagnetic phases. The magnetization (M = 1.2 $μ_B$) of x = 0.85 does not reach the value expected for the complete alignment of Mn spins even at 12 T and at 12 K. Metamagnetic transitions (C-type to Ferromagnetic) in both compounds are accompanied by contraction of volumes under high magnetic fields. We suggest that a high magnetic field induces \QTR{it}{P2}$_1$\QTR{it}{/m} (high volume) to \QTR{it}{Pnma} (low volume) structural transition. This is also supported by the neutron diffraction study.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗