Rapid growth of magnetite nanoplates by ultrasonic irradiation at low temperature

Magnetite nanoparticles: Synthesis methods - A comparative review

Iron oxide-based nanoparticles have gathered tremendous scientific interest towards their application in a variety of fields. Magnetite has been particularly investigated due to its readily availability, versatility, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and special magnetic properties. As the behavior of nano-scale magnetite is in direct relation to its shape, size, and surface chemistry, accurate control over the nanoparticle synthesis process is essential in obtaining quality products for the intended end uses. Several chemical, physical, and biological methods are found in the literature and implemented in the laboratory or industrial practice. However, non-conventional methods emerged in recent years to bring unprecedented synthesis performances in terms of better-controlled morphologies, sizes, and size distribution. Particularly, microfluidic methods represent a promising technology towards smaller reagent volume use, waste reduction, precise control of fluid mixing, and ease of automation, overcoming some of the major drawbacks of conventional bulk methods. This review aims to present the main properties, applications, and synthesis methods of magnetite, together with the newest advancements in this field.

Shape Anisotropic Iron Oxide-Based Magnetic Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Biomedical Applications

Research on iron oxide-based magnetic nanoparticles and their clinical use has been, so far, mainly focused on the spherical shape. However, efforts have been made to develop synthetic routes that produce different anisotropic shapes not only in magnetite nanoparticles, but also in other ferrites, as their magnetic behavior and biological activity can be improved by controlling the shape. Ferrite nanoparticles show several properties that arise from finite-size and surface effects, like high magnetization and superparamagnetism, which make them interesting for use in nanomedicine. Herein, we show recent developments on the synthesis of anisotropic ferrite nanoparticles and the importance of shape-dependent properties for biomedical applications, such as magnetic drug delivery, magnetic hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging. A brief discussion on toxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles is also included.

An ultrasonic method for the synthesis, control and optimization of CdS/TiO2 core–shell nanocomposites

In this study, an ultrasonic method was utilized in combination with microemulsion to synthesize CdS/TiO₂ core–shell nanoparticles and control their particle size and ultimately optimize the influential parameters. Moreover, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the thickness of the shell. Herein, four parameters, i.e. temperature (67–79 °C), synthesis retention time (45–105 min), TiO₂ : CdS ratio (1.5–7.5) and the power of ultrasound waves (37–53 watt), were optimized to synthesize nanoparticles with an average size of up to 10 nm. A correlation equation was introduced for the size range of 10–90 nm, which was then proven to have excellent predictions. To verify the proposed model, two different sets of combinations were selected to synthesize 10 nm composites, and consequently, nanocomposites with the sizes of 10.4 and 10.9 nm were successfully synthesized. The power of ultrasound waves and retention time had the most influence on the size of the particles. Further experiments proved that the optical absorption spectrum of the composite particles was extended to the visible region. Furthermore, the formation of CdS/TiO₂ core–shell nanocomposites was confirmed by different characterization techniques including XRD, TEM, EDAX, UV-vis, FTIR and DLS.

In this study, an ultrasonic method was utilized in combination with microemulsion to synthesize CdS/TiO₂ core–shell nanoparticles and control their particle size and ultimately optimize the influential parameters.

A simple approach for the sonochemical synthesis of Fe3O4-guargum nanocomposite and its catalytic reduction of p-nitroaniline

In this present study, a facile and green method to synthesize highly stable Fe₃O₄-guar gum nanocomposite using ultrasound was reported. Thermal gravimetric analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the crystal structure, size and morphology, elemental composition, metal-metal and metal-oxygen bonds of the synthesized nanocomposites. Fe₃O₄-guar gum nanocomposite with a size of ∼48nm was obtained as from TEM. The physicochemical characterization supports the feasibility of guar gum as an efficient stabilizing agent for the formation of nanocomposite; guar gum acts as a capping agent with a zeta potential value of -34.8 which was found to be beneficial for achieving lower particle size. Guar gum serves as a matrix for both reduction and stabilization of nanocomposite. The HR-TEM and XPS shows that Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are encapsulated by the guar gum polymeric networks or Fe₃O₄-guar gum core-shell structure. The guar gum encapsulated magnetite nanocomposite has performed better in terms of catalytic activity for the liquid phase reduction of p-nitroaniline. The simple catalytic reduction of p-nitroaniline showed an efficiency of 47% and further exceptional improvement of up to 98% reduction within 60min with the addition of sodium borohydride was achieved. The sonochemical synthesis of Fe₃O₄-guar gum nanocomposite does not require stringent experimental conditions or any toxic agents, and thus, a straightforward, rapid, efficient and green method for the fabrication of highly active catalysts for treating environmental pollutants.

Effect of reaction temperature on the size and morphology of scorodite synthesized using ultrasound irradiation

Synthesis of scorodite (FeAsO₄·2H₂O) using dynamic action agglomeration and the oxidation effect from ultrasound irradiation was investigated. The effect of different reaction temperatures (90, 70, 50, and 30°C) on the size and morphology of scorodite particles synthesized under O₂ gas flow and ultrasound irradiation was explored because the generation of fine bubbles depends on the solution temperature. At 90°C, the size of scorodite particles was non-homogeneous (from fine particles (<1μm) to large particles (>10μm)). The oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and yield at 90°C showed lower values than those at 70°C. The scorodite particles, including fine and non-homogeneous particles, were generated by a decrease in the oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III) and promotion of dissolution caused by the generation of radicals and jet flow from ultrasound irradiation. Using ultrasound irradiation in the synthesis of scorodite at low temperature (30°C) resulted in the appearance of scorodite peaks in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern after a reaction time of 3h. The peaks became more intense with a reaction temperature of 50°C and crystalline scorodite was obtained. Therefore, ultrasound irradiation can enable the synthesis of scorodite at 30°C as well as the synthesis of large particles (>10μm) at higher temperature. Oxide radicals and jet flow generated by ultrasound irradiation contributed significantly to the synthesis and crystal growth of scorodite.

Ultrasound mediation for one-pot sonosynthesis and deposition of magnetite nanoparticles on cotton/polyester fabric as a novel magnetic, photocatalytic, sonocatalytic, antibacterial and antifungal textile

A magnetic cotton/polyester fabric with photocatalytic, sonocatalytic, antibacterial and antifungal activities was successfully prepared through in-situ sonosynthesis method under ultrasound irradiation. The process involved the oxidation of Fe(2+) to Fe(3+) via hydroxyl radicals generated through bubbles collapse in ultrasonic bath. The treated samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. Photocatalytic and sonocatalytic activities of magnetite treated fabrics were also evaluated toward Reactive Blue 2 decoloration under sunlight and ultrasound irradiation. Central composite design based on response surface methodology was applied to study the influence of iron precursor, pH and surfactant concentration to obtain appropriate amount for the best magnetism. Findings suggested the potential of one-pot sonochemical method to synthesize and fabricate Fe3O4 nanoparticles on cotton/polyester fabric possessing appropriate saturation magnetization, 95% antibacterial efficiency against Staphylococcus aureus and 99% antifungal effect against Candida albicans, 87% and 70% dye photocatalytic and sonocatalytic decoloration along with enhanced mechanical properties using only one iron rich precursor at low temperature.

Sono-synthesis of core-shell nanocrystal (CdS/TiO2) without surfactant

A core-shell nanocomposite (CdS/TiO(2)) was synthesized at relatively low temperature (70°C) with small particle sizes (~11 nm). First, CdS nanoparticles were prepared by a combination of ultrasound and new micro-emulsion (O/W) without surfactant. Then the synthesized CdS was easily combined with TiO(2) under sonication. The formation of uniform surface layer of TiO(2) with depths of 0.75-1.1 nm on the CdS led to an increase of particle size. Ultrasonic irradiation can control the hydrolysis and condensation of titanium tetra-isopropoxide (TTIP) and the formation of TiO(2) shell around the CdS core. This technique avoids some of the problems that exist in conventional microemulsion synthesis such as the presence of different additives and calcinations. It was found that nanocomposite particles extend the optical absorption spectrum into the visible region in comparison with pure TiO(2) and pure CdS. In addition, a larger depth of TiO(2) led to a red-shift of the absorption band in nanocomposite. The characterization of nanocomposites has been studied by HRTEM, TEM, XRD, EDAX, BET and, UV-vis.