Photoelectrochemical, optical and magnetic properties of magnetite nanoparticles

Abstract

Magnetite magnetic nanoparticles are prepared using olive leaf extract as a green reducing and stabilizing agents. After reaction the product is heated up to get rid of the organic compounds and get pure magnetite nanoparticles. Differential scanning calorimetry is used to study the phase transformation as a function of heating temperature. Scanning electron microscope and high resolution transmission electron microscope show spherical and crystallized nanoparticles with a size of 5 nm. X‐ray diffraction and Raman and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicate the formation of Magnetite phase with high cristallinity and purity. The synthesized Magnetite nanoparticles are semiconductors with gap energy around 2 eV. Observed by transmission electron microscope graphite rods with stacked carbon disks are decorated with the prepared nanoparticles and show enhanced photocurrent. The vibrating sample magnetometer measurements indicate that the prepared Magnetite nanoparticles have superparamagnetic behavior. These results are very promising for clinical and water splitting applications.