Studies on the magnetism of cobalt ferrite nanocrystals synthesized by hydrothermal method

Fe-Co/CoFe₂O₄ nanocomposite and CoFe₂O₄ nanopowders were prepared by the hydrothermal method. The structure of magnetic powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction diffractometer (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal gravity analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) techniques, while magnetic properties were determined by using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) at room temperature. The effects of hydrothermal reaction conditions on magnetic properties were also discussed in details. The values of saturation magnetization (M_s) and coercive fore (H_c) for Fe-Co/CoFe₂O₄ nanocomposite are 113 emu/g and 1.4 kOe, respectively. Furthermore, CoFe₂O₄ ferrite with a single-domain critical size of 70 nm was fabricated by controlling the hydrothermal reaction conditions carefully, which presents high coercive force (ca. 4.6 kOe) and high squareness ratio (ca. 0.65). One interesting thing is M_s value of CoFe₂O₄ ferrite with a diameter of 40 nm is 86 emu/g which is comparable to that of the bulk counterpart.     

Facile synthesis of superparamagnetic manganese ferrite nanoparticles as a novel T2 MRI contrast agent

With co-precipitation method we successfully synthesized an aqueous dispersible, superparamagnetic manganese ferrite nanoparticles at relatively low temperature (190 ​°C). This material shows potential application as T₂ MRI contrast agent. Cost-effective and less toxic manganese (II) chloride (MnCl₂·4H₂O) and iron (III) chloride hexahydrate (FeCl₃·6H₂O) were used as precursors and 2-[2-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy] ethanol (TEG) were utilized as solvent which served as stabilizer and provided a reduction system. The mean diameter of these nanoparticles is about 7 ​nm. Its saturation magnetization (Ms) and relaxivity value (r₂) are as high as 46 emu/g and 593.9 ​mM⁻¹s⁻¹ respectively. In vitro cell study demonstrated pancreatic cancer cells could keep viable when the manganese ferrite nanoparticles concentration reached up to 50 ​μg/mL.     

Catalytic performance of NiFe2O4 and Ni0.3Zn0.7Fe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles during biodiesel production

In this study, catalytic performance of nanoferrites NiFe₂O₄ and Ni_0.3Zn_0.7Fe₂O₄ is reported. Nickel–ferrite and mixed nickel–zinc ferrite were successfully synthesized by combustion reaction using a conical reactor with production of 10 g per batch. Crystallinity and purity or quantitative analysis of the catalyst were checked by using X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Surface chemistry was examined via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis; N₂ physisorption at 77 K was conducted to obtain textural properties of the catalyst; a thermogravimetric analysis, a scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscopy were used to check the thermal stability and morphology of the catalyst, respectively. The catalysts were used to convert soybean oil into biodiesel in a batch mode and the reaction mixture was analyzed using a pre-calibrated gas chromatograph (GC). The presence of a single-phase spinel structure in the synthesized nanoparticles was confirmed by the XRD results. The Ni_0.3Zn_0.7Fe₂O₄ had a lower surface area value of 71.5 m²g⁻¹ and higher saturation magnetization value of 31.50 emu/g than sample NiFe₂O₄ which had 87.6 m²g⁻¹ and 17.85 emu/g, respectively. Biodiesel yield of 94% was obtained with Ni_0.3Zn_0.7Fe₂O₄ and 49% was obtained with NiFe₂O₄. Better performance of Ni_0.3Zn_0.7Fe₂O₄ when compared to that of NiFe₂O₄ could be attributed to higher acidity of the former. Findings from this study suggest that the development of nickel-zinc ferrite nanoparticles as magnetic heterogeneous catalysts could provide an environmentally friendly platform for biodiesel production.     

A simple route to synthesize nanocrystalline nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) in the presence of octanoic acid as a surfactant

Nanocrystalline nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) powder was prepared by a co-precipitation method from Ni and Fe chlorides. The as-prepared samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). SEM and TEM indicated that the particles were spherical with particle sizes in the range 25 ± 5 nm. The magnetic properties of the sample were measured by using a vibrating sample magnetometer, which showed that the sample exhibited typical ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature, while a finite coercivity of 245.5 Oe was present at 300 K. The saturation magnetization of the sample (23.13 emu/g) was significantly lower than that for the reported multidomain bulk particles (55 emu/g), reflecting the ultrafine nature of the sample.     

New Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of NiFe2O4/SiO2 and Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4/SiO2 Nanocomposites Using Tetraglycolatosilane as Precursor

In this work the new synthesis and magnetic properties of NiFe₂O₄/SiO₂ and Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites using a water‐soluble silica precursor, tetraglycolatosilane (THEOS), by the sol‐gel method were reported. Nanocomposite were obtained by the thermal decomposition of the organic part at different annealing temperatures varying from 400 to 900 °C. Studies carried out using XRD, FT‐IR, TEM, STA (TG‐DTG‐DTA) and VSM techniques. XRD patterns show that NiFe₂O₄ and Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ have been formed in an amorphous silica matrix at annealing temperatures above 600 and 400 °C, respectively. It is found that when the annealing temperature is up to 900 °C NiFe₂O₄/SiO₂ and Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄/SiO₂ samples show almost superparamagnetic behavior with a magnetization 4.66 emu/g and ferromagnetic behavior with a magnetization 10.11 emu/g, respectively. The magnetization and coercivity values of nanocomposites using THEOS were considerably less than previous reports using TEOS. THEOS as a silica matrix network provides an ideal nucleation environment to disperse ferrite nanoparticles and thus to confine them to aggregate and coarsen. By using THEOS over the currently used TEOS and TMOS, organic solvents are not needed due to the entire solubility of THEOS in water. Synthesized nanocomposites with adjustable particle sizes and controllable magnetic properties make the applicability of ferrites even more versatile.     

Room temperature ferromagnetism in undoped and Fe doped ZnO nanorods: Microwave-assisted synthesis

One-dimensional (1D) undoped and Fe doped ZnO nanorods of average length ∼1 μm and diameter ∼50 nm have been obtained using a microwave-assisted synthesis. The magnetization (M) and coercivity (H_c) value obtained for undoped ZnO nanorods at room temperature is ∼5×10⁻³ emu/g and ∼150 Oe, respectively. The Fe doped ZnO samples show significant changes in M -H loop with increasing doping concentration. Both undoped and Fe doped ZnO nanorods exhibit a Curie transition temperature (T_c) above 390 K. Electron spin resonance and Mössbauer spectra indicate the presence of ferric ions. The origin of ferromagnetism in undoped ZnO nanorods is attributed to localized electron spin moments resulting from surface defects/vacancies, where as in Fe doped samples is explained by F center exchange mechanism.     

Template free solvothermal synthesis of single crystal magnetic Fe3O4 hollow spheres,their interaction with bovine serum albumin and antibacterial activities

Uniform sized single crystal magnetic Fe₃O₄ hollow spheres (MFHS) have been synthesized through simple solvothermal method using ferric chloride hexahydrate and 1,3-propanediamine. The reaction time and the amount of 1,3-propanediamine play major roles in the formation of magnetic Fe₃O₄ hollow spheres. The synthesized products are characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry techniques. The crystalline Fe₃O₄ materials are composed of well-aligned hollow sphere magnetite nanoparticles and exhibit high saturation magnetization of 57.9?emu/g and a remnant magnetization of 17.6?emu/g at room temperature. MFHS interact strongly with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and brings out considerable conformational changes in BSA as evident from the UV–vis absorption, fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic studies pertaining to the interaction of synthesized MFHS and BSA. The prepared MFHS effectively inhibit the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.     

Synthesis,composition, and magnetic properties of the ferrimagnetic NdCu3−xMn4+xO12 perovskite-like phases

A magnetic oxide with composition close of NdCu₃Mn₄O₁₂ with a perovskite-related cubic structure ($\text{a ? 7.30}$ Å, space group Im3, Z = 2) has been synthesized by using either the high-pressure or the hydrothermal technique. The composition is strongly dependent on the synthesis conditions. A partial reduction of Mn⁴⁺ in the octahedral sites, resulting in a partial substitution of Cu²⁺ by Mn³⁺ in the Jahn-Teller sites, leads to the actual formula Nd(Cu²⁺_3?xMn³⁺_x)(Mn⁴⁺_3?xMn³⁺_1+x)O₁₂. For the compound synthesized at 650°C/2 kbar, the value of the substitution parameter x, as determined by neutron diffraction, is 0.32. For samples synthesized at higher temperatures, larger values of x are obtained. The compound is ferrimagnetic with Néel temperature of 390 K and a spontaneous magnetization of 93 emu/g at 4 K (52 emu/g at room temperature). For larger x values, magnetizations up to 118 emu/g at 4 K are obtained.     

Synthesis of magnetic nickel spinel ferrite nanospheres by a reverse emulsion-assisted hydrothermal process

Nickel ferrite nanospheres were successfully synthesized by a reverse emulsion-assisted hydrothermal method. The reverse emulsion was composed of water, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, polyoxyethylene(10)nonyl phenyl ether, iso-amyl alcohol and hexane. During the hydrothermal process, β-FeO(OH) and Ni_0.75Fe_0.25(CO₃)_0.125(OH)₂·0.38H₂O (INCHH) nanorods formed first and then transformed into nickel spinel ferrite nanospheres. The phase transformation mechanism is proposed based on the results of X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, etc. Nickel ferrite may form at the end of the INCHH nanorods or from the solution accompanied by the dissolution of β-FeO(OH) and INCHH nanorods. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis shows that a few Fe³⁺ ions have been reduced to Fe²⁺ ions during the formation of nickel ferrite. The maximum magnetization of the nickel ferrite nanospheres obtained after hydrothermal reaction for 30 h is 55.01 emu/g, which is close to that of bulk NiFe₂O₄.     

Chemical equilibria involved in the oxygen-releasing step of manganese ferrite water-splitting thermochemical cycle

Sodium ferrimanganite carbonatation reaction was investigated at different temperatures/carbon dioxide partial pressures to evaluate the feasibility of the thermochemical water-splitting cycle based on the MnFe₂O₄/Na₂CO₃/Na(Mn_1/3Fe_2/3)O₂ system.After thermal treatments in selected experimental conditions, the obtained powder samples were investigated by using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and Rietveld analysis.Two different lamellar Na_1−xMn_1/3Fe_2/3O_2−δ phases were observed together with the expected MnFe₂O₄/Na₂CO₃ mixture. Different equilibrium regions among sodium-depleted lamellar phases, manganese ferrite and sodium carbonate were found as a function of the different reaction conditions. A hypothesis concerning the regeneration mechanism of the initial compounds is proposed. Chemical equilibrium between stoichiometric and sub-stoichiometric forms of sodium ferrimanganite and sodium carbonate formation/dissociation appears to be essential factors governing the oxygen-releasing step of the manganese ferrite thermochemical cycle.     

One‐step in situ growth of magnesium ferrite nanorods on graphene and their microwave‐absorbing properties

The magnesium ferrite nanorods/graphene (MgFe₂O₄ NR/G) composites were prepared by a facile one‐step surfactant‐assisted solvothermal method. The structure and morphology of as‐prepared composite materials were characterized by electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, Raman spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, FT‐IR and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The homogeneous MgFe₂O₄ nanorods with a typical diameter of about 100 nm were well distributed on graphene. The electromagnetic parameters were measured using a vector network analyzer. A minimum reflection loss (RL) of ?40.3 dB was observed at 14.9 GHz with a thickness of 3 mm, and the effective absorption frequency (RL  <   ? 10 dB) ranged from 12.0 to 18.0 GHz, indicating the remarkable microwave absorption performance of the MgFe₂O₄ NR/G composites. The absorbing property of as‐obtained composites was better than that of the pure MgFe₂O₄ nanorods. The synergistic effect of MgFe₂O₄ and graphene was responsible for the enhanced absorbing performance.     

Novelty, preparation, characterization and enhancement of magnetic properties of Mn nanoferrites using safety binder (egg white)

Nanocrystalline MnFe₂O₄ ferrite was prepared by using autocombustion technique (flash). The microstructure and magnetic properties are studied. The results of XRD and TEM clarified that, this ferrite is nanosized with particle size (39 nm). Magnetic measurements showed a ferromagnetic behavior with T_C = 613 K, the saturation magnetization M_s = 13.71 emu/g, remanent magnetization M_r = 0.1694 emu/g and, coercivity H_c = 25.6 Oe. Natural material, egg white used as an aqueous medium to extend prepare nanoparticles better than other chemical interesting materials.     

Study of structural,electromagnetic and dielectric properties of cadmium substituted Ni–Zn nanosized ferrites

Sol-gel auto-combustion method was adopted to prepare Cd²⁺ ions substituted Ni–Zn nanosized ferrites having a chemical formula Ni_0.5Zn_0.5-xCd_xFe₂O₄ (0.0 $\le x\le 0.4)$. Their structural, electromagnetic, and dielectric properties were investigated by using XRD, FE-SEM, EDS, FTIR, VSM, and IS. The XRD analysis revealed a single-phase cubic structure of all samples. The addition of cadmium increased the lattice constant and cell volume of Ni–Zn ferrite due to the difference in the ionic radii between Cadmium (0.97 ?Å) and Zinc (0.74 ?Å). FESEM images showed irregularly shaped grain sizes in the range of 40 to 73 ?nm with random orientations and some agglomeration. The FTIR analysis also confirmed the presence of spinal ferrite phase functional groups in all samples. The saturation magnetization decreased (from 89.51 to 71.32 emu/g) with increasing cadmium content. However, the remanent magnetization and coercivity parameters increased with an increase in cadmium content. The dc resistivity as a function of the temperature of all samples was investigated, and the activation energies were found to be in the range of 0.48 to 0.51 ?eV. The dielectric loss decreased with increasing cadmium content. However, the dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent (tan) varied non-monotonically with increased cadmium content.     

Mechanism of oxygen releasing of copper ferrite in the formation of the corresponding oxygen-deficient compound

Copper ferrite is a promising material for hydrogen production through thermochemical water splitting. In this work, the cation distribution of copper ferrite and the corresponding oxygen-deficient compound of spinel structure was analyzed based on the crystal structural chemistry theory. The mechanism of oxygen releasing of CuO, Fe₂O₃, CuFe₂O₄ and metal (M=Ni, Mn or Zn) doped copper ferrite in the process of temperature rising was investigated by differential thermal analysis-thermogravimetry (DTA-TG). By combining the theoretical analysis with experimental results, the mechanism of oxygen releasing of copper ferrite is proposed, which is different from that of other ferrites. For copper ferrite, the oxygen releasing caused by Cu(II)→Cu(I) plays a predominant role, while for other ferrites, the oxygen releasing resulting from Fe(III)·Fe(II) is dominant. Supported by the National Defense Fundamental Research Fund (Grant No. A1420080145)     

One-dimensional NiCuZn ferrite nanostructures: Fabrication, structure, and magnetic properties

Ni_0.5−xCu_xZn_0.5Fe₂O₄ (0.0≤x≤0.5) ferrite nanofibers with diameters of 80-160 nm have been prepared by electrospinning and subsequent heat treatment. Both the average grain size and lattice parameter are found to increase with the addition of copper. Fourier transform infrared spectra indicate that the portion of Fe³⁺ ions at the tetrahedral sites move to the octahedral sites as some of the substituted Cu²⁺ ions get into the tetrahedral sites. Vibrating sample magnetometer measurements show that the coercivity of these ferrite nanofibers decreases with increasing Cu concentration, whereas the specific saturation magnetization initially increases, reaches a maximum value at x=0.2 and then decreases with the Cu content further increase. Notable differences in magnetic properties at room temperature (298 K) and 77 K for the Ni_0.3Cu_0.2Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanofibers and corresponding powders are observed and mainly arise from the grain size and morphological variations between these two materials.     

Microwave hydrothermal flash synthesis of nanocomposites Fe-Co alloy/cobalt ferrite

The present article presents, for the first time, the last developments reported for an original microwave hydrothermal flash synthesis of Fe-Co alloys (Fe_yCo_1−y)/cobalt ferrite (Fe_3−xCo_xO₄) nanocomposites. Synthesis was performed in alcoholic solutions of ferrous chloride, cobalt chloride and sodium ethoxide (EtONa) using a microwave autoclave (The RAMO system) specially designed by authors. Compared with conventional synthesis, smaller grains (100 nm compared to 1 μm) can be produced in a short period (e.g. 10 s) using a less basic medium. In all the cases, the microstructure and the amount of metal inside the composite particles are very different from the product obtained via a classical route. Indeed, 20% of metal was routinely obtained using the microwave flash synthesis. Nevertheless, this mean of production is more efficient and much faster than the ones commonly used to produce this type of nanocomposites.     

The formation and physicochemical characterization of Al2O3-doped manganese ferrites

Mn/Fe mixed oxide solids doped with Al₂O₃ (0.32-1.27 wt.%) were prepared by impregnation of manganese nitrate with finely powdered ferric oxide, then treated with different amounts of aluminum nitrate. The obtained samples were calcined in air at 700-1000 °C for 6 h. The specific surface area (S_BET) and the catalytic activity of pure and doped precalcined at 700-1000 °C have been measured by using N₂ adsorption isotherms and CO oxidation by O₂. The structure and the phase changes were characterized by DTA and XRD techniques. The obtained results revealed that Mn₂O₃ interacted readily with Fe₂O₃ to produce well-crystallized manganese ferrite (MnFe₂O₄) at temperatures of 800 °C and above. The degree of propagation of this reaction increased by Al₂O₃-doping and also by increasing the heating temperature. The treatment with 1.27 wt.% Al₂O₃ followed by heating at 1000 °C resulted in complete conversion of Mn/Fe oxides into the corresponding ferrite phase. The catalytic activity and S_BET of pure and doped solids were found to decrease, by increasing both the calcination temperature and the amount of Al₂O₃ added, due to the enhanced formation of MnFe₂O₄ phase which is less reactive than the free oxides (Mn₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃). The activation energy of formation (ΔE) of MnFe₂O₄ was determined for pure and doped solids. The promotion effect of aluminum in formation of MnFe₂O₄ was attributed to an effective increase in the mobility of reacting cations.     

Synthesis of Co/MFe2O4 (M=Fe, Mn) core/shell nanocomposite particles

Monodispersed cobalt nanoparticles (NPs) with controllable size (8–14 nm) have been synthesized using thermal decomposition of dicobaltoctacarbonyl in organic solvent. The as-synthesized high magnetic moment (125 emu/g) Co NPs are dispersible in various organic solvents, and can be easily transferred into aqueous phase by surface modification using phospholipids. However, the modified hydrophilic Co NPs are not stable as they are quickly oxidized, agglomerated in buffer. Co NPs are stabilized by coating the MFe₂O₄ (M=Fe, Mn) ferrite shell. Core/shell structured bimagnetic Co/MFe₂O₄ nanocomposites are prepared with tunable shell thickness (1–5 nm). The Co/MFe₂O₄ nanocomposites retain the high magnetic moment density from the Co core, while gaining chemical and magnetic stability from the ferrite shell. Compared to Co NPs, the nanocomposites show much enhanced stability in buffer solution at elevated temperatures, making them promising for biomedical applications.     

Nickel ferrite/zinc oxide nanocomposite: Investigating the photocatalytic and antibacterial properties

A facile strategy was used for the synthesis of nickel ferrite/zinc oxide (NiFe₂O_4/ZnO) nanocomposite via an ultra-sonication method and observed its recyclability and photostability with enhanced visible light-driven photocatalytic performance. The photo degradation activities of as-synthesized photocatalysts were investigated using various dyes including methylene blue, crystal violet and methyl orange under solar light irradiation. Prepared material degrades 49.2% methyl orange, 44.4% methyl blue and 41.3% crystal violet in 40 min. Further, the synergistic effect of nickel ferrite and zinc oxide can reduce the probability of recombination of charge carrier and boost the charge separation which leads to remarkable photocatalytic performance. Magnetic properties of nickel ferrite reduces the agglomeration of material and increases the recyclability. The NiFe₂O_4/ZnO nanocomposites also exhibited better antibacterial activity for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, which shows that they can be used for both environmental and biological applications.     

Effect of chemical composition and heat treatment condition on microstructure and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline BaDyxFe12−xO19 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) microfibres

A series of BaDy_xFe_12?xO₁₉ ferrite microfibres have been synthesized from metal nitrates and citric acid by the sol–gel method. TG-DSC, XRD, FTIR, FESEM, TEM and VSM were employed to characterize the thermal decomposition process, crystallite sizes, structure and magnetic properties of ferrite microfibres. The effect of calcined temperature, holding time, ion substitution on structure, magnetic properties of barium ferrite microfibres was investigated. The nanoparticle growth mechanism of ferrite microfibres was discussed. The results indicated that the hexaferrite phase was formed at 750 °C and Dy³⁺ ions entered the magnetoplumbite lattice. However, the reflections shift to a lower angle and the characteristic peaks of ferrite microfibres in FTIR shift to the lower wavenumber with the Dy content increasing. The VSM results shown that saturation magnetization (M _s ) gradually increased with calcined temperature increasing and holding time prolonging, while coercive force (H _c ) revealed an increase at first and then decreases. With the Dy content increasing, the M _s achieved values of M _s  = 50 emu?g^?1 (297 K) and 70 emu?g^?1 (77 K) and the H _c value shown a continuous reduction from 515 kA??m^?1 (297 K) and 435 kA?m^?1 (77 K) (x = 0.0) to 242 and 215 kA?m^?1 (x = 0.4).