Magnetic hyperthermia properties of biogenic cockle shell waste-derived hydroxyapatite/magnetite nanocomposite synthesized using green approach

Magnetic hyperthermia therapy was developed as a more selective and localized-targeting approach for cancer therapy, utilizing magnetic nanoparticles internalized into cancer cells and heated through alternating magnetic-field exposure. Efficient heat generation combined with biocompatibility remains a major challenge in magnetic hyperthermia applications. In this study, Fe 3 O 4 /hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanocomposites were synthesized through a green approach using Moringa oleifera extract, with HAp derived from Cockle shell waste. The influence of HAp mass fractions (10%, 20%, and 30%) on structural, magnetic, and thermal properties was systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction and High-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed the formation of two-phase nanocomposites with a crystallite size of 13.4–14.8 nm and a particle size of 6–14 nm, supporting superparamagnetic behavior. The nanocomposites exhibit moderate colloidal stability, with zeta potentials of − 21 to −28 mV. Magnetic characterization revealed a decrease in saturation magnetization with an increase in HAp content, indicating a magnetic dilution effect. The specific absorption rate values range from 0.3 to 2.56 W/g, with the highest performance demonstrated by the Fe 3 O 4 /HAp10% sample in ethylene glycol at a frequency of 20 kHz. These results show that the efficiency of heat generation is governed by the balance between magnetic response and colloidal stability.