Rapid synthesis of CuFeS2 nanoparticles using microwave irradiation for therapeutic applications

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) are a class of new materials, with less than 100 nm in diameter and exhibit enhanced size dependent properties as compared to larger particles of the same material. We describe the rapid microwave irradiation protocol for the synthesis of ternary CuFeS₂NPs, by reacting Cu, Fe, and S precursors in aqueous system. This one-pot facial synthesis strategy features shorter reaction time, easy process control, low energy consumption, and absence of a temperature gradient. The obtained NPs morphology and crystallite was characterized using TEM and XRD techniques, respectively. Furthermore, the obtained NPs, magnetic and fully water soluble, showed broad optical absorbance from the visible to the near infrared region could be applied for photothermal therapy and magnetic resonance imaging applications for future biomedical use.