Showing papers on "Superparamagnetism published in 2012"

Microwave Absorption Enhancement of Multifunctional Composite Microspheres with Spinel Fe3O4 Cores and Anatase TiO2 Shells

Abstract: Multifunctional composite microspheres with spinel Fe(3)O(4) cores and anatase TiO(2) shells (Fe(3)O(4)@TiO(2)) are synthesized by combining a solvothermal reaction and calcination process. The size, morphology, microstructure, phase purity, and magnetic properties are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, selected-area electron diffraction, electron energy loss spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry. The results show that the as-synthesized microspheres have a unique morphology, uniform size, good crystallinity, favorable superparamagnetism, and high magnetization. By varying the experimental conditions such as Fe(3)O(4) size and concentration, microspheres with different core sizes and shell thickneses can be readily synthesized. Furthermore, the microwave absorption properties of these microspheres are investigated in terms of complex permittivity and permeability. By integration of the chemical composition and unique structure, the Fe(3)O(4)@TiO(2) microspheres possess lower reflection loss and a wider absorption frequency range than pure Fe(3)O(4). Moreover, the electromagnetic data demonstrate that Fe(3)O(4@TiO(2) microspheres with thicker TiO(2) shells exhibit significantly enhanced microwave absorption properties compared to those with thinner TiO(2) shells, which may result from effective complementarities between dielectric loss and magnetic loss. All the results indicate that these Fe(3)O(4)@TiO(2) microspheres may be attractive candidate materials for microwave absorption applications.

Preparation of Fe3O4@SiO2@layered double hydroxide core-shell microspheres for magnetic separation of proteins.

Abstract: Three-component microspheres containing an SiO2-coated Fe3O4 magnetite core and a layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoplatelet shell have been synthesized via an in situ growth method. The resulting Fe3O4@SiO2@NiAl-LDH microspheres display three-dimensional core–shell architecture with flowerlike morphology, large surface area (83 m2/g), and uniform mesochannels (4.3 nm). The Ni2+ cations in the NiAl-LDH shell provide docking sites for histidine and the materials exhibit excellent performance in the separation of a histidine (His)-tagged green fluorescent protein, with a binding capacity as high as 239 μg/mg. The microspheres show highly selective adsorption of the His-tagged protein from Escherichia coli lysate, demonstrating their practical applicability. Moreover, the microspheres possess superparamagnetism and high saturation magnetization (36.8 emu/g), which allows them to be easily separated from solution by means of an external magnetic field and subsequently reused. The high stability and selectivi...

Synthesis and characterization of magnetite nanoparticles via the chemical co-precipitation method

Abstract: Magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized via the chemical co-precipitation method using ammonium hydroxide as the precipitating agent. The size of the magnetite nanoparticles was carefully controlled by varying the reaction temperature and through the surface modification. Herein, the hexanoic acid and oleic acid were introduced as the coating agents during the initial crystallization phase of the magnetite. Their structure and morphology were characterized by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Moreover, the electrical and magnetic properties were studied by using a conductivity meter and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), respectively. Both of the bare magnetite and the coated magnetite were of the cubic spinel structure and the spherical-shaped morphology. The reaction temperature and the surface modification critically affected the particle size, the electrical conductivity, and the magnetic properties of these particles. The particle size of the magnetite was increased through the surface modification and reaction temperature. In this study, the particle size of the magnetite nanoparticles was successfully controlled to be in the range of 10–40 nm, suitable for various biomedical applications. The electrical conductivity of the smallest particle size was 1.3 × 10−3 S/cm, within the semi-conductive materials range, which was higher than that of the largest particle by about 5 times. All of the magnetite nanoparticles showed the superparamagnetic behavior with high saturation magnetization. Furthermore, the highest magnetization was 58.72 emu/g obtained from the hexanoic acid coated magnetite nanoparticles.

Superparamagnetic MFe2O4 (M = Fe, Co, Mn) Nanoparticles: Tuning the Particle Size and Magnetic Properties through a Novel One-Step Coprecipitation Route

Abstract: Superparamagnetic ferrite nanoparticles (MFe2O4, where M = Fe, Co, Mn) were synthesized through a novel one-step aqueous coprecipitation method based on the use of a new type of alkaline agent: the alkanolamines isopropanolamine and diisopropanolamine. The role played by the bases on the particles’ size, chemical composition, and magnetic properties was investigated and compared directly with the effect of the traditional inorganic base NaOH. The novel MFe2O4 nanomaterials exhibited high colloidal stability, particle sizes in the range of 4–12 nm, and superparamagnetic properties. More remarkably, they presented smaller particle sizes (up to 6 times) and enhanced saturation magnetization (up to 1.3 times) relative to those prepared with NaOH. Furthermore, the nanomaterials exhibited improved magnetic properties when compared with nanoferrites of similar size synthesized by coprecipitation with other bases or by other methods reported in the literature. The alkanolamines were responsible for these achievem...

A facile chemical method to produce superparamagnetic graphene oxide–Fe3O4 hybrid composite and its application in the removal of dyes from aqueous solution

Abstract: A superparamagnetic graphene oxide–Fe3O4 hybrid composite (GO–Fe3O4) was prepared via a simple and effective chemical method. Amino-functionalized Fe3O4 (NH2-Fe3O4) particles are firmly deposited on the graphene oxide sheets. The graphene oxide sheets could prevent NH2-Fe3O4 particles from agglomeration and enable a good dispersion of these oxide particles. The as-prepared GO–Fe3O4 hybrid composite had a much higher thermal stability than graphene oxide. The amount of NH2-Fe3O4 loaded on GO was estimated to be 23.6 wt% by atomic absorption spectrometry. The specific saturation magnetization (Ms) of the GO–Fe3O4 hybrid composite is 15 emu g−1. The magnetic GO–Fe3O4 composite has been employed as adsorbent for the magnetic separation of dye contaminants from water. The adsorption test of dyes (Methylene Blue (MB) and Neutral Red (NR)) demonstrates that it only takes 30 min for MB and 90 min for NR to attain equilibrium. The adsorption capacities for MB and NR in the concentration range studied are 167.2 and 171.3 mg g−1, respectively. The GO–Fe3O4 hybrid composite can be easily manipulated in magnetic field for desired separation, leading to the removal of dyes from polluted water. These GO–Fe3O4 hybrid composites have great potential applications in removing organic dyes from polluted water.

One-step reverse precipitation synthesis of water-dispersible superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles

Abstract: Hydrophilic functionalization of nanoparticle surface is essential for their biomedical applications. Herein, we report a facile one-step reverse precipitation method to synthesize water-dispersible, biocompatible, and carboxylate-functionalized superparamagnetic magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles with the help of biocompatible sodium citrate salt. Transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential measurement, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) were used to characterize the as-prepared magnetite nanoparticles. The size of the as-prepared magnetite nanoparticles was tuned from 27 ± 3.8 to 4.8 ± 1.9 nm by changing the sodium citrate concentration from 25 to 125 mM. The sodium citrate concentration also influenced the water-dispersible stability of the as-prepared magnetite nanoparticles, which was due to the electrostatic repulsion.

Chitosan Oligosaccharide-Stabilized Ferrimagnetic Iron Oxide Nanocubes for Magnetically Modulated Cancer Hyperthermia

Abstract: Magnetic nanoparticles have gained significant attention as a therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. Herein, we developed chitosan oligosaccharide-stabilized ferrimagnetic iron oxide nanocubes (Chito-FIONs) as an effective heat nanomediator for cancer hyperthermia. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopic analyses revealed that Chito-FIONs were composed of multiple 30-nm-sized FIONs encapsulated by a chitosan polymer shell. Multiple FIONs in an interior increased the total magnetic moments, which leads to localized accumulation under an applied magnetic field. Chito-FIONs also exhibited superior magnetic heating ability with a high specific loss power value (2614 W/g) compared with commercial superparamagnetic Feridex nanoparticles (83 W/g). The magnetically guided Chito-FIONs successfully eradicated target cancer cells through caspase-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, Chito-FIONs showed excellent antitumor efficacy on an animal tumor model without any severe toxicity.

Synthesis optimization and characterization of chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles produced for biomedical applications

Abstract: The chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles (CS MNPs) were in situ synthesized by cross-linking method. In this method; during the adsorption of cationic chitosan molecules onto the surface of anionic magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with electrostatic interactions, tripolyphosphate (TPP) is added for ionic cross-linking of the chitosan molecules with each other. The characterization of synthesized nanoparticles was performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS/ESCA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) analyses. The XRD and XPS analyses proved that the synthesized iron oxide was magnetite (Fe3O4). The layer of chitosan on the magnetite surface was confirmed by FTIR. TEM results demonstrated a spherical morphology. In the synthesis, at higher NH4OH concentrations, smaller sized nanoparticles were obtained. The average diameters were generally between 2 and 8 nm for CS MNPs in TEM and between 58 and 103 nm in DLS. The average diameters of bare MNPs were found as around 18 nm both in TEM and DLS. TGA results indicated that the chitosan content of CS MNPs were between 15 and 23 % by weight. Bare and CS MNPs were superparamagnetic. These nanoparticles were found non-cytotoxic on cancer cell lines (SiHa, HeLa). The synthesized MNPs have many potential applications in biomedicine including targeted drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetic hyperthermia.

Magnetic properties of electron-doped La0.23Ca0.77MnO3 nanoparticles

Abstract: Magnetic properties of electron-doped La0.23Ca0.77MnO3 manganite nanoparticles, with average size of 12 and 60 nm, prepared by the glycine–nitrate method, have been investigated in the temperature range 5–300 K and magnetic fields up to 90 kOe. It is suggested that weak ferromagnetic moment results from ferromagnetic shells of the basically antiferromagnetic nanoparticles and from domains of frustrated disordered phase in the core. Assumption of two distinct sources of ferromagnetism is supported by the appearance of two independent ferromagnetic contributions in the fit of the T 3/2 Bloch law to spontaneous magnetization. The ferromagnetic components, which are more pronounced in smaller particles, occupy only a small fraction of the nanoparticle volume and the antiferromagnetic ground state remains stable. It is found that the magnetic hysteresis loops following field cooled processes, display size-dependent horizontal and vertical shifts, namely, exhibiting exchange bias effect. Time-dependent magnetization dynamics demonstrating two relaxation rates were observed at constant magnetic fields upon cooling to T < 100 K.

Preparation and magnetic properties of nano size nickel ferrite particles using hydrothermal method.

Abstract: Nickel ferrite, a kind of soft magnetic materials is one of the most attracting class of materials due to its interesting and important properties and has many technical applications, such as in catalysis, sensors and so on. In this paper the synthesis of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles by the hydrothermal method is reported and the inhibition of surfactant (Glycerol or Sodium dodecyl sulfate) on the particles growth is investigated. For investigation of the inhibition effect of surfactant on NiFe2O4 particles growth, the samples were prepared in presence of Glycerol and Sodium dodecyl sulfate. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) techniques were used to characterize the samples. The results of XRD and ICP-AES show that the products were pure NiFe2O4 and also nanoparticles grow with increasing the temperature, while surfactant prevents the particle growth under the same condition. The average particle size was determined from the Scherrer's equation and TEM micrographs and found to be in the range of 50-60 nm that decreased up to 10-15 nm in presence of surfactant. The FT-IR results show two absorption bands near to 603 and 490 cm-1 for the tetrahedral and octahedral sites respectively. Furthermore, the saturated magnetization and coercivity of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were in the range of 39.60 emu/g and 15.67 Qe that decreased for samples prepared in presence of surfactant. As well as, the nanoparticles exhibited a superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. Nanosized nickel ferrite particles were synthesized with and without surfactant assisted hydrothermal methods. The results show that with increasing of temperature, the crystallinity of nanoparticles is increased. In the presence of surfactants, the crystallinity of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles decreased in comparison with surfactant- free prepared samples. All of the nickel ferrite nanoparticles were superparamagnetic at room temperature.

Biocompatible Magnetite/Gold Nanohybrid Contrast Agents via Green Chemistry for MRI and CT Bioimaging

Abstract: Magnetite/gold (Fe3O4/Au) hybrid nanoparticles were synthesized from a single iron precursor (ferric chloride) through a green chemistry route using grape seed proanthocyanidin as the reducing agent. Structural and physicochemical characterization proved the nanohybrid to be crystalline, with spherical morphology and size ∼35 nm. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetization studies revealed that the Fe3O4 component of the hybrid provided superparamagnetism, with dark T2 contrast and high relaxivity (124.2 ± 3.02 mM–1 s–1). Phantom computed tomographic imaging demonstrated good X-ray contrast, which can be attributed to the presence of the nanogold component in the hybrid. Considering the potential application of this bimodal nanoconstruct for stem cell tracking and imaging, we have conducted compatibility studies on human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs), wherein cell viability, apoptosis, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation due to the particle–cell interaction were asessed. It was no...

Thermal fluctuations of magnetic nanoparticles: Fifty years after Brown

Abstract: The reversal time, superparamagnetic relaxation time, of the magnetization of fine single domain ferromagnetic nanoparticles owing to thermal fluctuations plays a fundamental role in information storage, paleomagnetism, biotechnology, etc. Here a comprehensive tutorial-style review of the achievements of fifty years of development and generalizations of the seminal work of Brown [Phys. Rev. 130, 1677 (1963)] on thermal fluctuations of magnetic nanoparticles is presented. Analytical as well as numerical approaches to the estimation of the damping and temperature dependence of the reversal time based on Brown's Fokker-Planck equation for the evolution of the magnetic moment orientations on the surface of the unit sphere are critically discussed while the most promising directions for future research are emphasized.

Change in the magnetostructural properties of rare earth doped cobalt ferrites relative to the magnetic anisotropy

Abstract: The superparamagnetic properties of the doped cobalt ferrite nanocrystals have been demonstrated. The significance of the sol–gel autocombustion method in yielding the as obtained doped cobalt ferrite oxide powder in the nano-range has been very well complemented with structural, dimensional and morphological analytical techniques such as X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), particle size analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The lattice strain and lattice parameters have been calculated by making use of the Williamson–Hall extrapolation. The valence states of the metal ions and single phase formation of the polycrystalline oxides have been confirmed with the help of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman Spectroscopy. The magnetic measurements M–H and M–T have been carried out demonstrating a change in the magnetic moment and a superparamagnetic–ferrimagnetic transition in the ferrite system. The influence of the distribution of the metal ions in the crystal lattice and the dimensions of the ferrite oxides on the resultant magnetic properties has been demonstrated. The contribution of the spin–orbit coupling generating from the Co2+ ions in the octahedral lattice towards higher magnetic anisotropy and hence the magnetic properties is investigated. The results provide an insight into the inter-relationship of the particle dimension, the spin–orbit coupling and the resulting superparamagnetic property.

Thermal fluctuations of magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract: The reversal time (superparamagnetic relaxation time) of the magnetization of fine single domain ferromagnetic nanoparticles owing to thermal fluctuations plays a fundamental role in information storage, paleomagnetism, biotechnology, etc. Here a comprehensive tutorial-style review of the achievements of fifty years of development and generalizations of the seminal work of Brown [W.F. Brown, Jr., Phys. Rev., 130, 1677 (1963)] on thermal fluctuations of magnetic nanoparticles is presented. Analytical as well as numerical approaches to the estimation of the damping and temperature dependence of the reversal time based on Brown's Fokker-Planck equation for the evolution of the magnetic moment orientations on the surface of the unit sphere are critically discussed while the most promising directions for future research are emphasized.

Improved functionalization of oleic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Abstract: Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can provide multiple benefits for biomedical applications in aqueous environments such as magnetic separation or magnetic resonance imaging. To increase the colloidal stability and allow subsequent reactions, the introduction of hydrophilic functional groups onto the particles' surface is essential. During this process, the original coating is exchanged by preferably covalently bonded ligands such as trialkoxysilanes. The duration of the silane exchange reaction, which commonly takes more than 24 h, is an important drawback for this approach. In this paper, we present a novel method, which introduces ultrasonication as an energy source to dramatically accelerate this process, resulting in high-quality water- dispersible nanoparticles around 10 nm in size. To prove the generic character, different functional groups were introduced on the surface including polyethylene glycol chains, carboxylic acid, amine, and thiol groups. Their colloidal stability in various aqueous buffer solutions as well as human plasma and serum was investigated to allow implementation in biomedical and sensing applications.

Preparation of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles coated with gallic acid for drug delivery

Abstract: 3+ molar ratio of 1:2. The iron oxide nanoparticles were subsequently coated with chitosan and gallic acid to produce a core-shell structure. Results: X-ray diffraction demonstrated that the magnetic nanoparticles were pure Fe 3 O 4 with a cubic inverse spinel structure. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were of spherical shape with a mean diameter of 11 nm, compared with 13 nm for the iron oxide-chitosan-gallic acid (FCG) nanocarriers. Conclusion: The magnetic nanocarrier enhanced the thermal stability of the drug, gallic acid. Release of the active drug from the FCG nanocarrier was found to occur in a controlled manner. The gallic acid and FCG nanoparticles were not toxic in a normal human fibroblast (3T3) line, and anticancer activity was higher in HT29 than MCF7 cell lines.

A general strategy for synthesis of quaternary semiconductor Cu2MSnS4 (M = Co2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Mn2+) nanocrystals

Abstract: Quaternary semiconductor Cu2MSnS4 (M = Co2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Mn2+) nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized via a simple and mild solvothermal method. Cu2FeSnS4 and Cu2CoSnS4 show a spherical shape; Cu2NiSnS4 and Cu2MnSnS4 possess a nail-like structure and a rod-like structure. The four types of nanocrystals exhibit significantly different magnetic properties. Cu2FeSnS4 and Cu2CoSnS4 nanoparticles show ferromagnetic behavior; Cu2MnSnS4 and Cu2NiSnS4 nanorods exhibit superparamagnetic behavior at low temperature. The band gaps of Cu2MSnS4 (M = Co, Fe, Ni, Mn) nanocrystals are in the range of 1.2–1.5 eV, indicating a high potential application in low-cost thin film solar cells.

Citrate capped superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles used for hyperthermia therapy

Abstract: Superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles (MNP) of about 10 nm were designed with proper physico-chemical characteristics by an economic, biocompatible chemical coprecipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ in an ammonia solution, for hyperthermia applications. Synthetic methodology has been developed to get a well dispersed and homogeneous aqueous suspension of MNPs. Citric acid was used to stabilize the magnetite particle suspension, it was anchored on the surface of freshly prepared MNPs by direct addition method. Carboxylic acid terminal group not only render the particles more water dispersible but also provides a site for further surface modification. The naked MNPs are often insufficient for their stability, hydrophilicity and further functionalization. To overcome these limitations, citric acid was conjugated on the surface of the MNPs. The microstructure and morphology of the nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the interaction between citric acid and MNPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), whereas the magnetic properties were investigated by vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Magnetic measurement revealed that the saturation magnetization of the nanoparticles was 74 emu/g and the nanoparticles were superparamagnetic at room temperature. We also have analyzed the potential of these particles for hyperthermia by determination of the specific absorption rate, the temperature increase (ΔT) of the particles was 37oC. These ferrofluids with high self-heating capacity are a promising candidate for cancer hyperthermia treatment.

Synthesis of Superparamagnetic Nanoporous Iron Oxide Particles with Hollow Interiors by Using Prussian Blue Coordination Polymers

Abstract: Our recent work has demonstrated that well-defined hollow interiors can be created inside Prussian Blue (PB) nanoparticles through controlled chemical etching in the presence of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (Angew. Chem., Int. Ed.2012, 51, 984). By calcination of these PB nanoparticles as starting precursors, we can successfully synthesize nanoporous iron oxides with hollow interiors. From scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the original hollow cavities of PB nanocubes are shown to be retained after crystal transformation to iron oxides. Also, the obtained hollow iron oxides show a very high surface area because of their nanoporous shells, as illustrated by N2 gas adsorption–desorption analysis. By tuning the applied calcination temperatures and selecting the PB nanoparticles with different hollow cavities, crystalline α-Fe2O3, and γ-Fe2O3 can be selectively formed in the products without formation of any impurity phases. Field-dependent magnetization measurements indi...

Dynamics of magnetic nanoparticle in a viscous liquid: Application to magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia

Abstract: It is shown that the magnetic dynamics of an assembly of nanoparticles dispersed in a viscous liquid differs significantly from the behavior of the same assembly of nanoparticles immobilized in a solid matrix. For an assembly of magnetic nanoparticles in a liquid two characteristic mode for stationary magnetization oscillations are found that can be called the viscous and magnetic modes, respectively. In the viscous mode, which occurs for small amplitude of the alternating magnetic field H0 as compared to the particle anisotropy field Hk, the particle rotates in the liquid as a whole. In a stationary motion the unit magnetization vector and the director, describing the spatial orientation of the particle, move in unison, but the phase of oscillations of these vectors is shifted relative to that of the alternating magnetic field. Therefore, for the viscous mode the energy absorption is mainly due to viscous losses associated with the particle rotation in the liquid. In the opposite regime, H0 ≥ Hk, the dir...

Facile synthesis of multiwall carbon nanotubes/iron oxides for removal of tetrabromobisphenol A and Pb(II)

Abstract: A one-step thermal decomposition strategy, in which a novel reductant participated, was developed to prepare superparamagnetic nearly cubic monodisperse Fe3O4 nanoparticles loaded on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs/Fe3O4). Subsequently, the as-prepared MWCNTs/Fe3O4 nanocomposites were modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) (MWCNTs/Fe3O4–NH2). The materials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) and the BET surface area method. The results indicated that superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were successfully loaded onto the surface of the MWCNTs, and APTS was also modified on the MWCNTs/Fe3O4 magnetic nanocomposites. The two as-prepared magnetic nanocomposites were used as adsorbents to remove tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and Pb(II) from wastewater. The adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherms of TBBPA and Pb(II) on the two as-prepared adsorbents were studied at pH 7.0 and 5.3, respectively. It was revealed that MWCNTs/Fe3O4–NH2 performed better than the MWCNTs/Fe3O4 nanocomposites for the adsorption properties of TBBPA and Pb(II). After adsorption, both adsorbents could be conveniently separated from the media by an external magnetic field within several seconds, and regenerated in 0.1 M NaOH solution.

Synthesis and characterization of NiO nanoparticles by sol–gel method

Abstract: Nickel oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized in the presence of agarose polysaccharide by sol–gel method. The structure, morphology, optical and magnetic properties of the product was examined by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV–visible spectrophotometer and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer. The result of thermogravimetric analysis of the precursor product showed that the proper calcination temperature was 400 °C. X-ray diffraction result revealed that the obtained product was nickel oxide with face-centered cubic structure. TEM image demonstrated that the nickel oxide nanoparticles have spherical shape with size around 3 nm. Analysis of FTIR spectra confirmed the composition of product. The optical absorption band gap of the NiO nanoparticles was estimated to be 3.51 eV. Magnetic measurement showed that the nickel oxide nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetic behavior at 300 K. Moreover, the nanoparticles show ferromagnetic interactions at 4.2 K owing to the existence of uncompensated moments on the surface of the nanoparticles.

Synthesis and characterization of γ-Fe2O3/carbon hybrids and their application in removal of hexavalent chromium ions from aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Magnetic Fe2O3/carbon hybrids were prepared in a two-step process. First, acetic acid vapor interacted with iron cations dispersed on the surface of a nanocasted ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK-3). In the second step, the primarily created iron acetate species underwent pyrolysis and transformed to magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared, and Raman spectroscopies were used for the chemical and structural characterization of the hybrids, while surface area measurements, thermal analysis, and transmission electron microscopy were employed to determine their physical, surface, and textural properties. These results revealed the preservation of the host carbon structure, which was homogenously and controllably loaded (up to 27 wt %) with nanosized (ca. 20 nm) iron oxides inside the mesoporous system. Mossbauer spectroscopy and magnetic measurements at low temperatures confirmed the formation of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles exhibiting superparamagnetic behavior. The kinetic stu...

Synthesis, Alignment, and Magnetic Properties of Monodisperse Nickel Nanocubes

Abstract: This Communication describes the synthesis of highly monodispersed 12 nm nickel nanocubes. The cubic shape was achieved by using trioctylphosphine and hexadecylamine surfactants under a reducing hydrogen atmosphere to favor thermodynamic growth and the stabilization of {100} facets. Varying the metal precursor to trioctylphosphine ratio was found to alter the nanoparticle size and shape from 5 nm spherical nanoparticles to 12 nm nanocubes. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed that the nanocubes are protected from further oxidation by a 1 nm NiO shell. Synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction techniques showed the nickel nanocubes order into [100] aligned arrays. Magnetic studies showed the nickel nanocubes have over 4 times enhancement in magnetic saturation compared to spherical superparamagnetic nickel nanoparticles.