A Comprehensive Review on the Synthesis and Therapeutic Potential of Cobalt Ferrite (CoFe2O4) Nanoparticles

Abstract The field of nanotechnology is witnessing a remarkable surge in research and applications across various domains, showcasing exponential growth. Considerable progress has been made in the advancement of novel techniques for the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with enhanced features. Within this realm, spinel nanoferrites have gained remarkable attention due to their significant characteristics, such as increased magnetic responsiveness, improved stability in biological environments, ease of synthesis, and enhanced surface modification capabilitiesmaking them highly applicable in diverse domains. Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles are considered one of the most investigated MNPs within this range. Owing to their distinct physical, chemical, and magnetic properties, CoFe₂O₄ NPs have emerged as potential candidates in the realm of biomedical applications, highlighting their suitability for innovative healthcare solutions. For a considerable period, the limited effectiveness of current cancer treatment methods such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy has posed many challenges and side effects. This prompted the need for the development of new technologies by incorporating various functional nanomaterials that showed substantial efficacy as effective strategies for treating cancer. This comprehensive review, therefore, introduces the prominent methods for synthesizing these ferrites and significant biomedical applications, particularly focusing on the anticancerand antibacterial properties exhibited by cobalt ferrite nanoparticles.