Automatized and desktop AC-susceptometer for the in situ and real time monitoring of magnetic nanoparticles’ synthesis by coprecipitation

Abstract

The main purpose of this work was to design, develop, and construct a simple desktop AC susceptometer to monitor in situ and in real time the coprecipitation synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles. The design incorporates one pair of identical pick-up sensing coils and one pair of Helmholtz coils. The picked up signal is detected by a lock-in SR850 amplifier that measures the in- and out-of-phase signals. The apparatus also includes a stirrer with 45°-angle blades to promote the fast homogenization of the reaction mixture. Our susceptometer has been successfully used to monitor the coprecipitation reaction for the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles.

Design and construction of a desktop AC susceptometer using an Arduino and a Bluetooth for serial interface

“…To control and monitor the instruments we also designed a graphical user interface (GUI) in freeware C++ code. This is another important improvement since most GUIs are designed in LABVIEW, a commercial code [3,4]. Therefore our project significantly reduces the cost of the system.…”

“…For several decades AC susceptometers have been routinely used in research because they analyze the complex susceptibility, revealing both the magnetic response of a material and magnetic losses caused by hysteretic behaviour. Their use has expanded to characterize a wide range of materials such as magnetic materials, superconductors and, lately, magnetic nanoparticles, bio-and nano-structured materials [1][2][3][4][5]. In addition to this, they are used to characterize magnetic and phase transitions in ferromagnets, antiferromagnets, and superconductors [6,7].…”

“…RS-232, USB) to transfer/receive data to/from the computer. However, some types of connectivity are bulky, relatively expensive, and require special processing cards to be installed in computers (specially for GPIB connectivity) [3,8]. To avoid these inconveniences we have implemented electronics based on an Arduino Uno coupled to a Bluetooth module, which allows reception/transmission to any modern computer via Bluetooth.…”

Untitled

“…In spinel nano ferrites their synthesis procedure, particle size, crystallinity and allocation of cations on tetrahedral A and octahedral B site plays a key role in determining their physical properties [1]. To have precise control on properties, time associated with synthesis process becomes a key parameter and in this context real-time monitoring of properties is important as well [2,3]. Thus, time evolution of synthesis process comprising a potential strategy for complete understanding of the involved formation mechanism is of fundamental importance in the nano particles synthesis, to have control on their properties, is important to have cost effective mass production [3].…”

Monitoring Time-Progression of Structural, Magnetic Properties of Ni Nano Ferrite During Synthesis

“…Literature gives Ni ferrite synthesis using various methods including mechanical milling [4], coprecipitation [5], hydrothermal synthesis [6], sol-gel auto combustion method [7], showing the effect of the technique on structural, magnetic properties. Literature also reports real-time monitoring (in-situ studies) of properties [8,9], require special, sophisticated equipment, may not be available in all laboratories. Ex-situ monitoring of properties [10], describing the time-evolution of structural, magnetic properties, is a rather simple, more convenient way to perform experiments by utilizing standard laboratory equipment available in many laboratories.…”