Effect of Al3+ doping on magnetic properties of Zn-Mn ferrite nanoparticles for magnetic induction hyperthermia

•The Al3+ doped Zn-Mn ferrite nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal method.•The Curie temperature decreases linearly with increment of Al3+ content.•In vitro experiments demonstrate the nanoparticles' effective capacity for magnetic heating.•The assessment of cytotoxicity in vitro shows the nanoparticles' low toxicity.•The nanoparticles can be used for self-regulated temperature magnetic hyperthermia. Magnetic induction hyperthermia with self-regulated temperature is an advanced technology capable of automatically regulating hyperthermia temperature through a magnetic phase transition, which has a promising application prospect. This paper investigated the effects of Al3+ doping on the magnetic properties and Curie temperature of Zn-Mn ferrite. The specific saturation magnetization and Curie temperatures of Zn0.5Mn0.5AlxFe2-xO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6) nanoparticles decrease linearly with increment of Al3+ content. The magnetic heating experiments exhibit that the synthesized nanoparticles can raise the temperature of agar phantom to above 42 °C and self-regulate the temperature below their Curie temperatures, demonstrating their potential for self-regulated temperature hyperthermia. Additionally, in vitro cell experiments confirm the nanoparticles’ good biocompatibility.