Optimization of Mn-Zn ferrite doping in phosphate-based glass ceramics for enhanced hyperthermia efficiency and bioactivity

This study investigates the effects of Mn-Zn ferrite (MZF) content and heat treatment temperature on the structural, mechanical, magnetic, and bioactive properties of Na 2 O-CaO-P 2 O 5 glass ceramics. Various MZF contents (5MZF, 10MZF, 20MZF, and 40MZF) were incorporated into the glass ceramics and subjected to heat treatment at different temperatures (600, 650, 700, and 800°C). The results demonstrated that increasing the MZF content significantly enhanced the mechanical properties, including Vickers hardness, Knoop hardness, and Young's modulus. For example, the Vickers hardness values increased from 5.6 GPa in 5MZF samples to 7.1 GPa in 40MZF samples. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of major crystalline phases, such as Ca 2 P 2 O 7 and Na 4 Ca(PO 3 ) 6 , with NaFe 3 P 3 O 12 and (Zn,Mn)Fe 2 O 4 appearing in samples with higher MZF content. Magnetic measurements indicated that the 40MZF samples treated at 700°C reached a satisfactory hyperthermia temperature of 43°C within 16 min. Bioactivity tests showed a decrease in bioactivity with increasing MZF content, whereas cytotoxicity assays confirmed that all MZF-Na 2 O-CaO-P 2 O 5 bioactive glass ceramics were non-toxic, maintaining over 100% cell viability after 24 h. These findings suggest that MZF-containing glass ceramics have potential applications in the biomedical field, particularly when enhanced mechanical and magnetic properties are required.