Preparation of poly(vinylalcohol)/poly(acrylamide‐co‐vinyl imidazole)/γ‐Fe2O3 semi‐IPN nanocomposite and their application for removal of heavy metal ions from water

A series of magnetic semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (semi‐IPN) hydrogels was prepared in one‐stage strategy composed of linear poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) chains and magnetic γ‐Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles entrapped within the cross‐linked poly(acrylamide‐co‐vinylimidazole) (poly(AAm‐co‐VI)) network. The influence of PVA, weight ratio of AAm:VI, γ‐Fe₂O₃, and MBA on the swelling properties of the obtained nanocomposite hydrogels was evaluated. The prepared magnetic semi‐IPN hydrogels were fully characterized and used as absorbent for removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from water. Factors that influence the metal ion adsorption such as solution pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentration, and temperature were studied in details. The experimental results were reliably described by Langmuir adsorption isotherms. The adsorption capacity of semi‐IPN nanocomposite for Pb(II) and Cd(II) were175.80 and 149.76 mg g^?1, respectively. The kinetic experimental data indicated that the chemical sorption is the rate‐determining step. According to thermodynamic studies, Pb(II) and Cd(II) adsorption on the hydrogels was endothermic and also chemical in nature. The prepared magnetic PVA/poly(AAm‐co‐VI) semi‐IPN hydrogels could be employed as efficient and low‐cost adsorbents of heavy metal ions from water. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of modified styrene-co-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid magnetite nanoparticles

This work provides an insight into the effect of incorporating of magnetite nanoparticles on the rheology of fluids. In this respect, polymer-stabilized magnetite nanoparticles were obtained using sodium salt of poly (2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate (PAMPS-Na). Monodisperse polymer coated magnetite nanoparticles Fe₃O₄/poly(styrene-AMPS) copolymer nanoparticles with diameters of 50–300 nm were prepared by radical polymerization in the presence of a ferrofluid coated with PAMPS-Na. The magnetic nanoparticles were easily separated in a magnetic field. The structure of the obtained magnetic nanoparticles was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphology and size of the magnetic nanoparticles were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FTIR and TEM revealed that the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were incorporated into the shells of poly(styrene-AMPS). Aqueous dispersed solutions of a charged hydrophobically modified Fe₃O₄/poly(styrene-AMPS) copolymer nanoparticles exhibit high viscosities even at low polymer concentrations (0.1 wt %), which is an interesting feature in connection with enhanced oil recovery. Effects of temperature and addition of sodium chloride on the viscosity properties of a semidilute dispersed solution of Fe₃O₄/poly(styrene-AMPS) copolymer nanoparticles are examined. The results indicated that Fe₃O₄/poly(styrene-AMPS) copolymer nanoparticles disclose strong interactions between magnetite and coated polymers of both PAMPS-Na and styrene-AMPS copolymers.     

Preparation of composite particles with magnetic silica core and fluorescent polymer shell

Dual functions of magnetic and fluorescent properties were created in composite particles that incorporated magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles in particle cores of silica and fluorescent pyrene in particle shells of polystyrene. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were prepared with a conventional homogeneous precipitation method and surface modified with a coupling agent of carboxyethylsilanetriol. The silica particles incorporating Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized with a modified Stöber method in which the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were added to a system of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS)/ammonia/water/ethanol. Then, the magnetite/silica composite particles were coated with the pyrene/polystyrene shell in a soap-free emulsion polymerization, which was conducted in the presence of pyrene in a mixed solvent of water/ethanol. The composite particles prepared in the mixed solvent had both magnetic and fluorescent properties. The fluorescent spectrum of the particles with Fe₃O₄ was very similar to that without Fe₃O₄, indicating that the magnetic component within the core particles scarcely interfered with the fluorescent emission from the polymer shell.     

Influence of iron oxide nanoparticles on the rheological properties of hybrid chitosan ferrogels

Magnetite nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized in the presence of chitosan using an in situ coprecipitation method in alkali media. This method allows obtaining chitosan ferrogels due to the simultaneous gelation of chitosan. The chitosan concentration has been varied and its effects on the particle synthesis investigated. It has been demonstrated that high chitosan concentrations prevents the formation of magnetite due to the slow diffusion of the alkali species through the viscous medium provided by chitosan, instead iron hydroxides are formed. The presence of magnetite nanoparticles increases the elastic modulus which results in a reinforcement of the chitosan ferrogels. This effect is counterbalanced by the disruption of hydrogen bonding responsible for the formation of chitosan hydrogels in alkali media.     

Novel fabrication of magnetic thermoplastic nanofibers via melt extrusion of immiscible blends

A novel technique of fabricating magnetic thermoplastic nanofibers by the control of the phase separation of immiscible polymer blends during melt extrusion was presented. The magnetic poly(vinyl alcohol‐co‐ethylene) (PVA‐co‐PE)/Fe₃O₄ composite nanofibers were prepared via the melt extrusion of cellulose acetate butyrate matrix and PVA‐co‐PE preloaded with different amounts of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The morphologies of magnetic composite nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The uniform dispersion of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in nanofiber matrixes and crystal structures were confirmed using transmission electron microscopy and wide angle X‐ray diffraction. Thermogravimetric analysis was employed to quantify the exact loading amount of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in the composite nanofibers. The magnetic measurements showed that composite nanofibers displayed superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. With increasing content of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, the saturation magnetization of the magnetic composite nanofiber significantly improved. The prepared magnetic composite nanofibers might have found potential applications in the sensors and bio‐molecular separation fields. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of tri-layer hybrid microspheres with magnetic core and functional polymer shell

Tri-layer magnetite/silica/poly(divinylbenzene) (Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/PDVB) core-shell hybrid microspheres were prepared by distillation precipitation polymerization of divinylbenzene (DVB) in the presence of magnetite/3-(methacryloxyl)propyl trimethoxysilane (MPS) modified silica core-shell particles as seeds. The polymerization of DVB was performed in neat acetonitrile with 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator to coat magnetite/MPS-modified silica particles through the capture of DVB oligomers with the aid of vinyl groups on the surface of inorganic seeds in absence of any stabilizer or surfactant. Other magnetite/silica/polymer tri-layer hybrid particles, such as magnetite/silica/poly(ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) (Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/PEGDMA) and magnetite/silica/poly(ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) (Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/P(EGDMA-co-MAA)) with various polarity and functionality, were also prepared by this procedure. Magnetite/silica/poly(N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide-co-methacrylic acid) (Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/P(MBAAm-co-MAA)) were synthesized with unmodified magnetite/silica particles as seeds. The resultant tri-layer hybrid particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM).     

Magnetic field dependence of the diffusion of single dextran molecules within a hydrogel containing magnetite nanoparticles

We consider the effect of applied magnetic fields on the diffusion of single dextran molecules labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate within a ferrogel [a composite of magnetite nanoparticles in a poly(methacrylic acid) hydrogel] using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. We show that the mesh size of the ferrogel is controlled by the applied magnetic field, B, and scales as exp(-(4)√ξ(3)B(2)/2μ(0)k(B)T), where ξ is a correlation length, μ(0) the magnetic constant, k(B) the Boltzmann constant, and T is the absolute temperature. The diffusion coefficient of the dextran can be modeled with a simple Stokes-Einstein law, containing the same scaling behavior with magnetic field as the swelling of the hydrogel. Furthermore, the magnetic field-dependent release of dextran from the hydrogel is also controlled by the same relationship. The samples were characterized by small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and magnetometry experiments. Magnetic hysteresis loops from these ferrogels and zero field cooled∕field cooled measurements reveal single domain ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature with a similar coercivity for both as-prepared and fully swollen ferrogels, and for increasing magnetic nanoparticle concentration. SAXS experiments, such as the hysteresis loops, show that magnetite does not aggregate in these gels.     

Synthesis,magnetic and ethanol gas sensing properties of semiconducting magnetite nanoparticles

The superparamagnetic magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles with an average size of 7 nm were synthesized using a rapid and facile microwave hydrothermal technique. The structure of the magnetite nanoparticles was characterized by X-ray diffraction (X-ray), field effect scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The prepared Fe₃O₄ was shown to have a cubic phase of pure magnetite. Magnetization hysteresis loop shows that the synthesized magnetite exhibits no hysteretic features with a superparamagnetic behavior. The ethanol gas sensing properties of the synthesized magnetite were investigated, and it was found that the responsibility time is less than 10 s with good reproducibility for ethanol sensor. Accordingly, it is evaluated that the magnetite nanoparticles can be effectively used as a solid state ethanol sensor in industrial commercial product applications.     

磁性壳聚糖/Fe3O4/氧化石墨烯吸附剂的制备及其多染料吸附性能

为了提高壳聚糖的多染料吸附性能并使其便于固液分离,采用共沉淀法制备了壳聚糖、磁铁矿纳米颗粒、氧化石墨烯复合磁性吸附剂(CS/Fe₃O₄/GO)。系统的结构表征显示,CS包覆的Fe₃O₄磁性纳米颗粒均匀地分布在GO的表面。CS/Fe₃O₄/GO具有高达42.5 emu·g-1的室温铁磁性,因此可在外加磁场中实现高效固液分离。研究表明,CS/Fe₃O₄/GO对亚甲基蓝(MB)、甲基橙(MO)和刚果红(CR)等多种染料具有良好的吸附性能,溶液的pH、初始浓度和吸附时间对其多染料吸附性能具有显著影响。在最佳条件下,CS/Fe₃O₄/GO对MB、MO和CR的吸附量分别达到210.6、258.6和308.9 mg·g-1。CS/Fe₃O₄/GO具有优异的循环利用性能,经5次循环后仍能保留90%以上的原始吸附量。采用吸附等温线和吸附动力学对...     

叶酸对磁性Fe_3O_4纳米粒子的表面修饰

以FeCl3·6H2O作为单一铁源,1,6-己二胺作为胺化试剂,利用无模板的溶剂热方法制备了胺基功能化的磁性Fe3O4纳米粒子,并利用其键合叶酸分子,制备出表面修饰了叶酸的磁性Fe3O4复合纳米粒子。利用傅里叶变换红外光谱仪、X-射线衍射仪、透射电镜、差热-热重分析仪和振动样品磁强计对所得纳米粒子的形貌、粒径、化学组成和磁性能进行了表征。结果表明,叶酸分子通过化学键牢固键合在磁性纳米Fe3O4粒子表面,叶酸修饰的复合纳米粒子仍然具有良好的磁性能。     

Magnetic-sensitive behavior of intelligent ferrogels for controlled release of drug

An intelligent magnetic hydrogel (ferrogel) was fabricated by mixing poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels and Fe3O4 magnetic particles through freezing-thawing cycles. Although the external direct current magnetic field was applied to the ferrogel, the drug was accumulated around the ferrogel, but the accumulated drug was spurt to the environment instantly when the magnetic fields instantly switched "off". Furthermore, rapid to slow drug release can be tunable while the magnetic field was switched from "off" to "on" mode. The drug release behavior from the ferrogel is strongly dominated by the particle size of Fe3O4 under a given magnetic field. The best "magnetic-sensitive effects" are observed for the ferrogels with larger Fe3O4 particles due to its stronger saturation magnetization and smaller coercive force. Furthermore, the amount of drug release can be controlled by fine-tuning of the switching duration time (SDT) through an externally controllable on-off operation in a given magnetic field. It was demonstrated that the highest burst drug amounts and best "close" configuration of the ferrogel were observed for the SDT of 10 and 5 min, respectively. By taking these peculiar magnetic-sensitive characteristics of the novel ferrogels currently synthesized, it is highly expected to have a controllable or programmable drug release profile that can be designed for practical clinical needs.     

Swelling and contraction of ferrogels based on polyacrylamide in a magnetic field

The equilibrium swelling of magnetoactive ferrogels based on the copolymer of acrylamide with 10% potassium acrylate in water is studied. The gels are filled with strontium ferrite and/or magnetite taken in amounts of 20, 40, 60, and 80 parts per 100 parts of the polymer by weight. In the absence of a magnetic field, as the content of the filler is increased, the degree of swelling tends to increase for the gels containing strontium ferrite and to decrease for the magnetite-containing gels. In the structure of hydrogels, strontium ferrite particles possessing a permanent magnetic moment form a microscopic network from chain aggregates, while the particles of magnetite, a magnetically soft material, give rise to disordered aggregates. The enthalpy of hydration of ferrogel polymeric matrices weakly depends on the nature and amount of the introduced filler: The interaction parameter takes small positive values in the range 0.10–0.18. In a homogeneous magnetic field of 365 mT, the degree of swelling decreases at a small filler content for both types of ferrogels. This effect is accompanied by elongation of a ferrogel sample along the field direction and contraction in the transverse direction. With an increase in the filler content, the inversion of both effects occurs. The applicability of concepts about the homogeneously magnetizable continuous medium to the process of magnetostriction of ferrogels is analyzed.     

Preparation of monodispersed polystyrene microspheres uniformly coated by magnetite via heterogeneous polymerization

Composite microspheres of core-shell type were prepared by a seeded polymerization using monodispersed polystyrene seed latex (Ps) combined with an in situ dispersion of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) fine particles. The heterogeneous polymerization was carried out in aqueous dispersions of the Fe₃O₄ particles modified with sodium oleate. All the synthetic processes were carried out in a wet state to avoid serious agglomeration. The morphology of the composite particle and the size distribution were examined to discuss the effects on the polymerization parameters, such as monomer concentration, type and concentration of an initiator, magnetite particle concentration and the method of surface modification of Fe₃O₄.     

磁性壳聚糖/Fe3O4/氧化石墨烯吸附剂的制备及其多染料吸附性能

为了提高壳聚糖的多染料吸附性能并使其便于固液分离,采用共沉淀法制备了壳聚糖、磁铁矿纳米颗粒、氧化石墨烯复合磁性吸附剂(CS/Fe₃O₄/GO)。系统的结构表征显示,CS包覆的Fe₃O₄磁性纳米颗粒均匀地分布在GO的表面。CS/Fe₃O₄/GO具有高达42.5 emu·g^-1的室温铁磁性,因此可在外加磁场中实现高效固液分离。研究表明,CS/Fe₃O₄/GO对亚甲基蓝(MB)、甲基橙(MO)和刚果红(CR)等多种染料具有良好的吸附性能,溶液的pH、初始浓度和吸附时间对其多染料吸附性能具有显著影响。在最佳条件下,CS/Fe₃O₄/GO对MB、MO和CR的吸附量分别达到210.6、258.6和308.9 mg·g^-1。CS/Fe₃O₄/GO具有优异的循环利用性能,经5次循环后仍能保留90%以上的原始吸附量。采用吸附等温线和吸附动力学对CS/Fe₃O₄/GO的多染料吸附性能进行了拟合分析,并详细讨论了其吸附机理。     

Fe3O4@Propylsilane@Histidine[HSO4‐] magnetic nanocatalysts: Synthesis,characterization and catalytic application for highly efficient synthesis of xanthene derivatives

The surface of Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was modified by chloropropylsilane and histidine. The imidazole group of prepared Fe₃O₄@Propylsilane@Histidine MNPs converted to imidazolium hydrogen sulfate group and Fe₃O₄@Propylsilane@Histidine [HSO₄^‐] as a novel environmentally friendly ionic liquid/ magnetite nanoparticle was prepared, successfully. FT‐IR, XRD, SEM and TEM instruments was used to identifiy the histidine ionic liquids/magnetite nanoparticles (HILMNPs). The catalytic activity of synthesized HILMNPs was appraised for the synthesis of 9‐aryl‐1,8‐dioxooctahydroxanthene and spiro[indoline‐3,9′‐xanthene]trione derivatives. The activity of HILMNPs was much better than the other reported heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts. Furthermore, the prepared catalyst could be separated from the reaction mixture and reused four times without any significant loss in its activity.     

Structure and electrochemical properties of magnetite and polypyrrole nanocomposites formed by pyrrole oxidation with magnetite nanoparticles

Nanocomposite of magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and polypyrrole was prepared under sonication by a new chemical polymerization method during which Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles acted both as a pyrrole oxidant and as a component in the composite material. Synthesis of this nanocomposite was carried out in aqueous solution acidified to pH 2, a prerequisite for the formation of these types of material and to facilitate pyrrole oxidation by Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. In this way, two kind of materials were produced: Fe₃O₄/PPy nanocomposite in which magnetite nanoparticles were dispersed in PPy matrix and Fe₃O₄-aggregates@PPy nanocomposite that exhibits structure in which aggregates of magnetite nanoparticles are surrounded by a layer of polymeric phase. In the latter case, the polymerization process took place in the presence of a surfactant. These nanocomposites were characterized by electron microscopy techniques, IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. Particular attention was focused on the study of the electrochemical properties of the formed composites. The composite of Fe₃O₄ and PPy exhibits reversible electrochemical behaviour upon oxidation. The electrode process of the polymeric component oxidation in organic solvents such as acetonitrile and dichloromethane is very similar to the process in an aqueous solution.

     

Synthesis and characterization of Fe3O4@SiO2–polymer-imid–Pd magnetic porous nanospheres and their application as a novel recyclable catalyst for Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling reactions

We demonstrate herein the modification of magnetic nanoparticles and their use as a magnetic nanocatalyst in direct coupling reactions of aryl halides with terminal alkynes. Magnetite particles were prepared by simple co-precipitation method in aqueous medium, and then Fe₃O₄@ SiO₂ nanosphere was synthesized by using nano-Fe₃O₄ as the core, TEOS as the silica source and PVA as the surfactant. Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ was coated with polymeric N-heterocyclic carbene/Pd. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetric analysis, vibration sample magnetometer and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherm analysis. Poly (N-vinyl imidazole) functionalized Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticle was found to be an efficient nanocatalyst in Sonogashira–Hagihara cross-coupling reactions. The nanocatalyst can be easily recovered by a magnetic field and reused for six runs without appreciable loss of its catalytic activity.     

A novel magnetic triple-responsive composite semi-IPN hydrogels for targeted and controlled drug delivery

In this work, Fe₃O₄/poly(3-acrylamidephenylboronic acid-co-(2-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (Fe₃O₄/P(AAPBA-co-DMAEMA)) hydrogels possessing magnetic and triple-responsive properties and semi-interpenetrated by β-cyclodextrin-epichlorohydrin (β-CD-EPI) were prepared via radical polymerization. The characteristics of the materials have been investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The swelling measurements and the application of Fe₃O₄/P(AAPBA-co-DMAEMA)/(β-CD-EPI) hydrogels in controlled release of drug were also investigated. It was found that the magnetic hydrogels exhibit swelling behaviors affected by pH, temperature, glucose concentration and magnetic field, and have porous morphologies, superparamagnetism. Moreover, the hydrogels possess targeting and could control the release of quercetin by adjusting pH value, temperature, glucose concentration and magnetic field.     

Exploring the structure–property relationships of ultrasonic/MRI dual imaging magnetite/PLA microbubbles: magnetite@Cavity versus magnetite@Shell systems

Two types of magnetite/PLA composite microbubbles with different magnetite loading sites (magnetite nanoparticles [MNPs] were loaded in shell or core part), named as Fe₃O₄@Shell and Fe₃O₄@Cavity microbubbles, were respectively fabricated by an improved W₁/O/W₂ double emulsification approach and by an interfacial coprecipitation joint double emulsification approach. The preparation parameters were crucial factors for controlling the morphologies and structures of the microbubbles. To clarify the relationship between their structural characteristics and their properties, the T ₂-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capabilities as well as the sound attenuation behavior of the microbubbles were investigated. The results demonstrate that the encapsulation of MNPs in either the inner cavity or the shell provides improved sound attenuation, the two types of microbubbles provide comparable sound attenuation enhancement properties, whereas Fe₃O₄@Shell microbubbles exhibit better T ₂-weighted MRI capabilities. The T ₂ relaxation time decreased from 219.5 to 62.1?ms for the Fe₃O₄@Cavity microbubbles and from 163.8 to 45.7?ms for the Fe₃O₄@Shell microbubbles, as the iron concentration increased from 0.05 to 1?mM. In addition, both types of microbubbles exhibit no cytotoxicity to either NRK or BRL-3A metabolic cell cultures. These results suggest that these magnetite-containing microbubbles have great potential as ultrasonic/MR dual contrast imaging agents.     

Synthesis of Fe3O4, Fe2O3, Ag/Fe3O4 and Ag/Fe2O3 nanoparticles and their electrocatalytic properties

Two important iron oxides:Fe3O4 and Fe2O3,as well as Fe3O4 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles mingling with Ag were successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal procedure.The samples were confirmed and characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The morphology of the samples was observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The results indicated Fe3O4,Fe2O3,Ag/Fe3O4 and Ag/Fe2O3 samples all were nanoparticles with smaller sizes.The samples were modified on a glassy carbon electrode and their elctrocatalytic properties for p-nitrophenol in a basic solution were investigated.The results revealed all the samples showed enhanced catalytic performances by comparison with a bare glassy carbon electrode.Furthermore,p-nitrophenol could be reduced at a lower peak potential or a higher peak current on a glassy carbon electrode modified with Ag/Fe3O4 or Ag/Fe2O3 composite nanoparticles.