Publication Date

2019

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Ito, Yasuo

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Physics

Abstract

Boron/iron-oxide core/shell structured nanoparticles were characterized for application in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). BNCT is a cancer treatment method using the ability of boron to absorb thermal neutrons and a proposed drug delivery system utilizing an external magnetic field to direct the boron nanoparticles to targeted cancer sites and to extract the used nanoparticles after treatment. Boron nanoparticles were magnetically functionalized by encapsulating with an iron oxide shell. As such the exact composition, size distribution and oxidation states of the core/shell structures can affect treatment efficacy. Characterization was done by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (XEDS) within the scanning transmission electron microscope. Magnetic and additional electronic characterizations of the iron-oxide nanoparticles were performed by M ̈ossbauer spectroscopy, whose results were compared with those of EELS Fe L23 peak ratio. Both the EELS and Mössbauer spectroscopy results indicated a mixed valence state, indicative of Fe3O4, for the iron-oxide nanoparticles. EELS analysis was performed on pure boron nanoparticles to show initial purity and create a spectrum reference for the core/shell structured nanoparticles. XEDS on the boron/iron oxide nanoparticles

indicated the formation of the core/shell structure and EELS revealed the Fe3O4structureis maintained along with the purity of the boron core.

Extent

71 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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