AC conductivity and dielectric properties of bulk tungsten trioxide (WO3)

AC conductivity and dielectric properties of tungsten trioxide (WO₃) in a pellet form were studied in the frequency range from 42 Hz to 5 MHz with a variation of temperature in the range from 303 K to 463 K. AC conductivity, σ_ac(ω) was found to be a function of ω^s where ω is the angular frequency and s is the frequency exponent. The values of s were found to be less than unity and decrease with increasing temperature, which supports the correlated barrier hopping mechanism (CBH) as the dominant mechanism for the conduction in WO₃. The dielectric constant (ε′) and dielectric loss (ε″) were measured. The Cole–Cole diagram determined complex impedance for different temperatures.     

Preparation and microwave absorption properties of loose nanoscale Fe3O4 spheres

Magnetite nanoparticles are found to assemble into randomly dispersed loose nanoscale spheres with diameters ∼300 nm in ethylene glycol in the presence of polyethylene and a small quantity of polyethyleneimine. Modern analysis methods are employed to provide structure information of the magnetic loose spheres. The ferromagnetic saturation magnetization is ∼80.0 emu g⁻¹, and the coercive force is 209 Oe. The microwave electromagnetic parameters are measured by a vector network analyzer. The synthesized loose spheres exhibit novel microwave properties compared with the conventional Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. An additional microwave loss peak appears in the Ku band, which is attributed to the loose structure.     

Electromagnetic and microwave absorption properties of Fe3O4 magnetic films plated on hollow glass spheres

Magnetic hollow spheres of low density were prepared by plating Fe₃O₄ magnetic films on hollow glass spheres using ferrite plating. The complex permeability and permittivity of spheres–wax composites were measured in the range of 2–18 GHz. The complex permeability and permittivity increased, and the dielectric and magnetic losses were improved as the volume fraction of the magnetic spheres in the composites increased from 60% to 80%, which also resulted in a great improvement of microwave absorption properties. For composites with volume fraction 80%, its magnetic resonance frequency was at about 13 GHz and it appeared three loss peaks in the calculated reflection loss curves; the bandwidth less than −10 dB was almost 4 GHz which was just in the Ku-band frequencies (12–18 GHz) and a minimum reflection loss of −20 dB was obtained when the thickness was 2.6 mm; the microwave absorbing properties were mainly due to the magnetic loss. The results showed that the magnetic spheres composites were good and light microwave absorbers in the Ku-band frequencies.     

Synthesis of Co-Cu-Zn doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles with tunable morphology and magnetic properties

Co-Cu-Zn doped Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles can be successfully synthesized using a simple method. The particles in the size range 20−400 nm with different regular shapes i.e. sphere-like, regular hexane and tetrahedron are controllably achieved by changing the metal ion concentration. Compared to pure Fe₃O₄ without dopants, Co-Cu-Zn doped Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles exhibit better microwave absorbing properties at 2−18 GHz. Among three Co-Cu-Zn doped Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with different morphologies, tetrahedral Co-Cu-Zn doped Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles represent a better dielectric loss in high frequency range. This work is believed the first known report of Co-Cu-Zn doped Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with tunable morphology and magnetic properties through the hydrothermal process without using any organic solvents, organic metal salts or surfactants.     

Only Ku-band microwave absorption by Fe3O4/ferrocenyl-CuPc hybrid nanospheres

A novel kind of hybrid nanospheres made of Fe₃O₄ and ferrocenyl-CuPc (FCP) was prepared via effective solvothermal method and performed microwave absorptivity only in Ku-band with minimum reflection loss of −25 dB at 16.0 GHz corresponding to absorbing about 99.7% content of microwave. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated that the nanospheres with uniform particle size distribution have the average diameter of 135 nm. Due to the synergistic reaction between magnetic ferrocenyl-CuPc and Fe₃O₄, the hybrid nanospheres showed novel electromagnetic properties. The real part of complex permittivity of hybrid nanospheres remains stable in the range of 0.5–12.0 GHz and has a large fluctuation at 16.5 GHz. Moreover, the dielectric loss of hybrid nanospheres also appeared a sharp peak at 16.3 GHz with the value of 2.7. The specific gravity of hybrid nanospheres is about 2.08. On the basis of these results, the novel hybrids are believed to have potential applications in the microwave absorbing area in Ku-band.     

Green synthesis and characterization of superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles

In this paper, we have first demonstrated a facile and green synthetic approach for preparing superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles using α-d-glucose as the reducing agent and gluconic acid (the oxidative product of glucose) as stabilizer and dispersant. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) results showed that the inverse spinel structure pure phase polycrystalline Fe₃O₄ was obtained. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results exhibited that Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were roughly spherical shape and its average size was about 12.5 nm. The high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) result proved that the nanoparticles were structurally uniform with a lattice fringe spacing about 0.25 nm, which corresponded well with the values of 0.253 nm of the (3 1 1) lattice plane of the inverse spinel Fe₃O₄ obtained from the JCPDS database. The superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) results revealed that the blocking temperature (T_b) was 190 K, and that the magnetic hysteresis loop at 300 K showed a saturation magnetization of 60.5 emu/g, and the absence of coercivity and remanence indicated that the as-synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles had superparamagnetic properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectrum displayed that the characteristic band of Fe-O at 569 cm⁻¹ was indicative of Fe₃O₄. This method might provide a new, mild, green, and economical concept for the synthesis of other nanomaterials.     

Preparation and microwave absorption properties of Fe-phthalocyanine oligomer/Fe3O4 hybrid microspheres

The novel nano-scale Fe-phthalocyanine oligomer/Fe₃O₄ hybrid microspheres were synthesized from bis-phthalonitrile and FeCl₃·6H₂O through a simple solvent-thermal route. The morphology and structure of the hybrid microspheres were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM. These results showed that the hybrids were monodispersed solid microspheres and the morphology can be adjusted by controlling the addition of bis-phthalonitrile. On the basis of these results, the formation process was discussed. Magnetization measurement indicated that saturation magnetizations decreased linearly with increasing the addition of bis-phthalonitrile, while coercivities increased. The microwave absorption properties were measured by a vector network analyzer. The dielectric loss of the hybrid microspheres was larger and a new magnetic loss peak appeared at high frequency. The microwave absorbing properties enhanced with increasing the addition of bis-phthalonitrile and a maximum reflection loss of −31.1 dB was obtained at 8.6 GHz with 1 g bis-phthalonitrile when the matching thickness was 3.0 mm. The novel hybrid materials are believed to have potential applications in the microwave absorbing performances.     

Green synthesis of soya bean sprouts-mediated superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were first synthesized via soya bean sprouts (SBS) templates under ambient temperature and normal atmosphere. The reaction process was simple, eco-friendly, and convenient to handle. The morphology and crystalline phase of the nanoparticles were determined from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra. The effect of SBS template on the formation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was investigated using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results indicate that spherical Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with an average diameter of 8 nm simultaneously formed on the epidermal surface and the interior stem wall of SBS. The SBS are responsible for size and morphology control during the whole formation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. In addition, the superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) results indicate the products are superparamagnetic at room temperature, with blocking temperature (T_B) of 150 K and saturation magnetization of 37.1 emu/g.     

Synthesis and properties of Au-Fe3O4 and Ag-Fe3O4 heterodimeric nanoparticles

Monodisperse Au-Fe 3 O 4 heterodimeric nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by injecting precursors into a hot reaction solution.The size of Au and Fe 3 O 4 particles can be controlled by changing the injection temperature.UV-Vis spectra show that the surface plasma resonance band of Au-Fe 3 O 4 heterodimeric NPs was evidently red-shifted compared with the resonance band of Au NPs of similar size.The as-prepared heterodimeric Au-Fe 3 O 4 NPs exhibited superparamagnetic properties at room temperature.The Ag-Fe 3 O 4 heterodimeric NPs were also prepared by this synthetic method simply using AgNO 3 as precursor instead of HAuCl 4.It is indicated that the reported method can be readily extended to the synthesis of other noble metal conjugated heterodimeric NPs.     

Reflux synthesis of Co3O4 nanoparticles and its magnetic characterization

Co₃O₄ nanoparticles have been prepared for the first time via reflux method, as an alternative low-temperature high-yield process, starting from one single precursor. A plausible mechanism is suggested for the synthetic process. XRD, TEM, FTIR and VSM were used for the structural, morphological, spectroscopic, and magnetic characterization of the product respectively. X-ray diffraction line profile fitting showed that average particle size of the sample is 28 nm. Morphology of the synthesized powder was observed to be thin nanosheets with a thickness of 2-3 nm based on SEM and TEM analyses. Magnetic measurements showed a deviation of the Neel temperature from the bulk value which is attributed to the finite size effects. A loop shift with an enhanced coercivity is observed in the field-cooled hysteresis loops. The opening of the hysteresis loop reveals the existence of the spin-glass like surface spins of the Co₃O₄ nanoparticles.     

Microwave absorption properties of Sr2FeMoO6 nanoparticles

The microwave absorption properties of nanosized double perovskite Sr₂FeMoO₆ and epoxy resin composites were investigated in the frequency range of 2-18 GHz using the coaxial method. The Sr₂FeMoO₆ composites with an optimal 20 wt% epoxy resin showed a strong electromagnetic attenuation of −49.3 dB at 8.58 GHz with a matching thickness of 2.15 mm. Moreover the optimum absorption frequency at which the reflection loss is less than −20 dB, which corresponds to 99% reflection loss of the incident microwave, is from 5.7 to 13.2 GHz with the matching thickness ranging from 3.0 to 1.5 mm. The excellent microwave-absorption properties are a consequence of a proper electromagnetic match due to the existence of the insulating matrix of anti-site defects and anti-phase domains, which not only contribute to the dielectric loss but also to the reduced eddy current loss.     

The electrochemical preparation and microwave absorption properties of magnetic carbon fibers coated with Fe3O4 films

Electrodeposition was employed to fabricate magnetite (Fe₃O₄) coated carbon fibers (MCCFs). Temperature and fiber surface pretreatment had a significant influence on the composition and morphology of Fe₃O₄ films. Uniform and compact Fe₃O₄ films were fabricated at 75 °C on both nitric acid treated and untreated carbon fibers, while the films prepared at 60 °C were continuous and rough. Microwave measurements of MCCF/paraffin composites (50 wt.% of MCCFs, pretreated carbon fibers as deposition substrates) were carried out in the 2-18 GHz frequency range. MCCFs prepared at 60 °C obtained a much higher loss factor than that prepared at 75 °C. However, the calculation results of reflection loss were very abnormal that MCCFs prepared at 60 °C almost had no absorption property. While MCCFs prepared at 75 °C exhibited a good absorption property and obtained −10 dB and −20 dB refection loss in wide matching thickness ranges (1.0-6.0 mm and 1.7-6.0 mm range, respectively). A secondary attenuation peak could also be observed when the thickness of MCCF/paraffin composite exceeded 4.0 mm. The minimum reflection loss was lower.     

Focusing of Fe3O4 nanoparticles using a rotating magnetic field in various environments

The paper shows the application of a new method – Magnetic Nanoparticles Focusing 3D, MNF-3D – for focusing of magnetic nanoparticles at any point in a three-dimensional space between the rotating magnet system. The results of focusing process of nanoparticles in water, human blood, human serum and polyurethane sponge are presented. Additionally, blood flow was also considered. The effectiveness of nanoparticle focusing was monitored optically and quantitatively by electron spin resonance method. The method enabled focusing of magnetic nanoparticles within a few minutes in different environments. A good efficiency of focusing process was observed for all the samples.     

Heat dissipation and magnetic properties of surface-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles for biomedical applications

In this study, the influence of surface coating on the magnetic and heat dissipation properties of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was investigated. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles that ranged in size between (particle sizes of 20 and 30 nm) were coated with polyethylenimine (PEI), oleic acid, and Pluronic F-127. Surface coatings that were composed of thick layers of oleic acid and Pluronic F-127 reduced dipole interactions between the particles, and resulted in reduced coercivity and decreased Néel relaxation times. The ac magnetization measurements revealed that the heat dissipation of the PEI-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was induced by hysteresis loss and Brownian relaxation loss and that of the oleic-acid-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was mainly induced by hysteresis loss and Néel relaxation loss.     

Mössbauer spectra of superparamagnetic Fe3O4

The Mössbauer effect is used to study the superparamagnetic behaviour of ultrafine Fe₃O₄ particles as a function of temperature and applied magnetic field. In zero field the disappearance of the hyperfine splitting with increasing temperature is observed. With the application of an external field the hyperfine spectrum is redeveloped.     

Microwave synthesis of magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles used as a precursor of nanocomposites and ferrofluids

Methods to synthesize magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and to modify the surface of particles are presented in the present investigation. Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by the co-precipitation of Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺, NH₃·H₂O was used as the precipitating agent to adjust the pH value, and the aging of Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles was accelerated by microwave (MW) irradiation. The obtained Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The average size of Fe₃O₄ crystallites was found to be around 8–9 nm. Thereafter, the surface of Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles was modified by stearic acid. The resultant sample was characterized by FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), XRD, lipophilic degree (LD) and sedimentation test. The FT-IR results indicated that a covalent bond was formed by chemical reaction between the hydroxyl groups on the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and carboxyl groups of stearic acid, which changed the polarity of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The dispersion of Fe₃O₄ in organic solvent was greatly improved. Effects of reaction time, reaction temperature and concentration of stearic acid on particle surface modification were investigated. In addition, Fe₃O₄/polystyrene (PS) nanocomposite was synthesized by adding surface modified Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles into styrene monomer, followed by the radical polymerization. The obtained nanocomposite was tested by thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and XRD. Results revealed that the thermal stability of PS was not significantly changed after adding Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The Fe₃O₄ magnetic fluid was characterized using UV–vis spectrophotometer, Gouy magnetic balance and laser particle-size analyzer. The testing results showed that the magnetic fluid had excellent stability, and had susceptibility of 4.46×10⁻⁸ and saturated magnetization of 6.56 emu/g. In addition, the mean size d (0.99) of magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in the fluid was 36.19 nm.     

Magnetoresistance and magnetic properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticle compacts

In this paper,we report on the magnetic properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with different grain sizes under different pressures.In all the samples,the saturated magnetization Ms shows a linear decrease with increasing pressure.The thickness of the magnetic dead layer on the nanoparticle surface nuder different pressures was roughly estimated,which also increases with increasing pressure.The transport measurements of the nanoparticle Fe3O4 compacts show that the low-field magnetoresistance (MR) value is insensitive to the grain size in a wide temperature range;however,the high-field MR value is dependent on grain size,especially at low temperatures.These experimental results can be attributed to the different surface states of the nanoparticles.     

Biosynthesis and magnetic properties of mesoporous Fe3O4 composites

Magnetic Fe₃O₄ materials with mesoporous structure are synthesized by co-precipitation method using yeast cells as a template. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern indicates that the as-synthesized mesoporous hybrid Fe₃O₄ is well crystallized. The Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) models reveal the existence of mesostructure in the dried sample which has a specific surface area of 96.31 m²/g and a pore size distribution of 8-14 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements confirm the wormhole-like structure of the resulting samples. The composition and chemical bonds of the Fe₃O₄/cells composites are studied by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Preliminary magnetic properties of the mesoporous hybrid Fe₃O₄ are characterized by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The magnetic Fe₃O₄/cells composites with mesoporous structure have potential applications in biomedical areas, such as drug delivery.     

Electrical and magnetic properties of polyaniline/Fe3O4 nanostructures

We report on electrical and magnetic properties of polyaniline (PANI) nanotubes (150 nm in diameter) and PANI/Fe₃O₄ nanowires (140 nm in diameter) containing Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with a typical size of 12 nm. These systems were prepared by a template-free method. The conductivity of the nanostructures is 10⁻¹–10⁻² S/cm; and the temperature dependent resistivity follows a ln ρT^−1/2 law. The composites (6 and 20 wt% of Fe₃O₄) show a large negative magnetoresistance compared with that of pure PANI nanotubes and a considerably lower saturated magnetization (M_s=3.45 emu/g at 300 K and 4.21 emu/g at 4 K) compared with the values measured from bulk magnetite (M_s=84 emu/g) and pure Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (M_s=65 emu/g). AC magnetic susceptibility was also measured. It is found that the peak position of the AC susceptibility of the nanocomposites shifts to a higher temperature (>245 K) compared with that of pure Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (190–200 K). These results suggest that interactions between the polymer matrix and nanoparticles take place in these nanocomposites.     

Nanobuffering property of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles in aqueous solution

In the present study, the buffering effect of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) dispersed in an aqueous solution on the local pH$pH$ value is investigated. It manifests itself in the fact that when some amount of acid or base is added to the solution then the solution near the nanoparticles surface becomes, respectively, less acidic and less alkaline than it is expected. It is the result of both the local electrostatic field, which represents the electric double layer at the surface of magnetic nanoparticles and the magnetic field around the nanoparticles. The magnetite nanoparticles exhibit very low toxicity and they are becoming increasingly important for new biomedical applications related to their effects on chemical reactions in body tissues and cells. The question arises, how strong are these effects at the nanoscale? The strength of the buffering property of magnetite nanoparticles is investigated both theoretically and experimentally by the direct measurement of the local pH$pH$ value of a magnetic nanoparticles suspension. The theoretical model is based on stochastic equations describing the ions diffusing in the neighborhood of the electric double layer of the magnetic material. The electric double layer is modeled with the help of the Poisson–Boltzmann model. It is directly shown that both the electrostatic field and the magnetic field are responsible for the observed local changes of the pH$pH$ value with respect to the bulk pH$pH$ value.