The development of targeted cancer therapies is crucial to reducing harmful patient side effects. The incorporation of magnetic and fluorescent nanoparticles as heat mediators in magnetic hyperthermia is a novel and efficient strategy. This study investigated the potential of CoFe2O4/ZnS composite nanoparticles, successfully fabricated using a green synthesis method with Moringa oleifera leaf extract, as magnetic hyperthermia agents. X-ray diffraction spectra demonstrated the existence of the CoFe2O4 cubic spinel ferrite and ZnS cubic zinc-blend phases in the composite nanoparticles. The average particle sizes of CoFe2O4 and CoFe2O4/ZnS were 12 and 17 nm, respectively. The peak at 1406-1411 cm−1 indicated the incorporation of ZnS on the surfaces of the CoFe2O4/ZnS composite nanoparticles through the SO functional group. The UV–visible spectra showed that the bandgap increased from 3.7 to 4.5 eV with increasing ZnS content. Magnetic property studies indicated that the coercivity and saturation magnetization of the CoFe2O4/ZnS composite nanoparticles were lower than those of the CoFe2O4 nanoparticles but still showed ferromagnetic characteristics. Heating properties were investigated by measuring the specific absorption rate (SAR) in an alternating magnetic field at various ZnS contents. The SAR of the CoFe2O4 composite nanoparticles was 85.7 mW/g while that of the CoFe2O4/ZnS composite nanoparticles increased from 87.8 to 132.9 mW/g with increasing ZnS content. Results indicate that green-synthesized CoFe2O4/ZnS composite nanoparticles are promising candidates for magnetic hyperthermia applications in cancer therapy.
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