Synthesis and Properties of Bifunctional Fe$_{3}$O$_{4}$/Ag Nanoparticles

Abstract

In this work, a facile synthesis of Fe 3 O 4 /Ag nanoparticles, with magnetic properties and electrical conductivity, was successfully developed, by reducing Ag(I) ions with D-Glucose, in the presence of a dispersion of superparamagnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles, under ultrasound treatment. Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) was used as protecting agent and Ag(I) were incorporated in different molar ratios with respect to Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. The obtained particles were characterized by XRD studies, SEM and TEM observation, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS), DC magnetization and conductivity measurements. From TEM and SEM observation it was found that the PVP protection has shown to be partial, as the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles have a lower diameter after the reduction treatment. Despite this, the particles retain the superparamagnetic behavior and the saturation magnetization decreases as the Ag content increases. From conductivity measurements, a minimum Ag(I)/Fe 3 O 4 molar ratio = 1.75 was needed in order to observe electrical conductivity in the metallic regime.

Chemical and magnetic properties characterization of magnetic nanoparticles

“…Especially in catalysis magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles modified by noble metals show promising properties. For this reason, the magnetic characterization of these new nanomaterials and the study of the influence of the chemical composition and the morphology on the magnetic properties are particularly important [5], [6]. In a recent paper, the authors presented the magnetic characterization of pure magnetite nanopowders synthesized by a new green microwave-assisted method [7].…”