An investigation of anisotropy of cobalt-surface-modified ironoxide magnetic particles

Surface treatment experiments on nonstoichiometric iron oxide are described, along with a theoretical analysis which suggests that the uniaxial anisotropy of cobalt-surface-modified iron oxide particles is not induced by the magnetic field of the inner core of iron oxides, but rather is due to the shape anisotropy being larger than the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of imperfectly crystallized CoFe₂ O₄. It is concluded that the crystalline imperfection of CoFe₂O₄ on the outer layer of iron oxides particles decreases the magnetocrystalline anisotropy and limits the enhancement rate of the coercivity of cobalt-surface-treated iron oxide particles     

Alignment under Magnetic Field of Mixed Fe2O3/SiO2 Colloidal Mesoporous Particles Induced by Shape Anisotropy

When using the bottom‐up approach with anisotropic building‐blocks, an important goal is to find simple methods to elaborate nanocomposite materials with a truly macroscopic anisotropy. Here, micrometer size colloidal mesoporous particles with a highly anisotropic rod‐like shape (aspect ratio ≈ 10) have been fabricated from silica (SiO₂) and iron oxide (Fe₂O₃). When dispersed in a solvent, these particles can be easily oriented using a magnetic field (≈200 mT). A macroscopic orientation of the particles is achieved, with their long axis parallel to the field, due to the shape anisotropy of the magnetic component of the particles. The iron oxide nanocrystals are confined inside the porosity and they form columns in the nanochannels. Two different polymorphs of Fe₂O₃ iron oxide have been stabilized, the superparamagnetic γ‐phase and the rarest multiferroic ε‐phase. The phase transformation between these two polymorphs occurs around 900 °C. Because growth occurs under confinement, a preferred crystallographic orientation of iron oxide is obtained, and structural relationships between the two polymorphs are revealed. These findings open completely new possibilities for the design of macroscopically oriented mesoporous nanocomposites, using such strongly anisotropic Fe₂O₃/silica particles. Moreover, in the case of the ε‐phase, nanocomposites with original anisotropic magnetic properties are in view.     

Water-Soluble Anisotropic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Dextran-Coated Crystalline Nanoplates and Nanoflowers

We report a simple phase transfer based synthesis route for two novel anisotropic water soluble iron oxide nanoparticle shapes, namely, nanoplates and nanoflowers. The nanoplates and nanoflowers are initially prepared in an organic solvent via a modified “heat-up” method. Then, the crystalline nanoparticles are rendered hydrophilic via sonication in the presence of dextran and water. These nanoparticles are highly monodisperse and superparamagnetic at room temperature. High resolution transmission electron microscopy indicates that the iron oxides cores are not affected by the phase transfer. Dextran coating is confirmed by dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The obtained dextran coverage was 26 wt% for the nanoplates and 37 wt% for the nanoflowers. The nanoplates and nanoflowers were not only water soluble, but also remained stable at different pH (4–7) and in common aqueous buffer solutions. Thorough characterizations of the nonspherical iron oxide nanoparticles indicate that these particles could be useful for potential biomedical applications and magnetic resonance imaging.     

A survey of recent advances in magnetic recording materials

Magnetic recording coatings are still made predominantly of iron oxide particles but the newer particles are significantly better in magnetic properties, dispersibility and orientability than the particles used, say, ten years ago. Chromium dioxide particles show excellent recording performance (particularly at densities above 1000 flux changes per millimeter) but they are presently being challenged by the new cobalt-modified iron oxides. These are formed by diffusing cobalt into the surface of acicular iron oxide particles and it is claimed that the particles prepared in this way are much more stable with respect to temperature and stress than the older cobalt-substituted iron oxides. Metal particles, by virtue of their high moment density and high coercivity, would be ideal for high density recording if they could be passivated permanently. The paper reviews improvements which have been made within the last nine years in the properties of particles for magnetic recording applications and discusses how the improvements were effected.     

SiO2/Si(100) interface characterization using infrared spectroscopy: estimation of substoichiometry and strain

The transverse optical (TO) and longitudinal optical (LO) phonons of the asymmetric stretch of the O in SiOSi bridging bond in thermal SiO₂ show red shift with decreasing oxide thickness. These shifts are primarily due to interface effects like strain and substoichiometric silicon oxides (suboxides). A method to isolate the contributions of strain and suboxide concentration towards the observed shifts is proposed. The procedure, which utilizes simple optical model and effective medium approximation, allows estimation of the average strain and suboxide concentration in films of different thickness. Analysis of infrared spectra shows that suboxide-rich layers in low temperature dry and wet oxides are confined to a distance of ∼1.5 nm from the interface; wet oxidation may generate lower stress near the interface.     

Surface Engineering of Core/Shell Iron/Iron Oxide Nanoparticles from Microemulsions for Hyperthermia

This paper describes the synthesis and surface engineering of core/shell-type iron/iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia cancer therapy. Iron/iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized from microemulsions of NaBH(4) and FeCl(3), followed by surface modification in which a thin hydrophobic hexamethyldisilazane layer - used to protect the iron core - replaced the CTAB coating on the particles. Phosphatidylcholine was then assembled on the nanoparticle surface. The resulting nanocomposite particles have a biocompatible surface and show good stability in both air and aqueous solution. Compared to iron oxide nanoparticles, the nanocomposites show much better heating in an alternating magnetic field. They are good candidates for both hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging applications.     

铁氧化物纳米晶自组装空心微球的制备、表征及其应用

铁氧化物纳米材料和纳米结构空心微球分别代表了材料研究中组分和结构的研究热点. 而由铁氧化物纳米晶自组装形成的空心微球的研究则是二者相结合, 具有重要的科学意义和良好的应用前景. 虽然已发展了多种方法制备各种单质及化合物的空心微球, 但铁氧化物纳米晶自组装空心微球的制备方法报道较少. 本文简要介绍了近几年发展起来的多种铁氧化物纳米晶自组装空心微球的一些制备方法, 利用上述方法, 制备出了多种不同组成单元、不同尺寸、不同空心程度的铁氧化物纳米晶自组装空心微球, 对所制备的铁氧化物纳米晶自组装空心微球进行了表征, 并初步介绍了所制备的铁氧化物纳米晶自组装空心微球在药物缓释和环境领域中的应用.     

Nanoscale ridge aperture as near-field transducer for heat-assisted magnetic recording

Near-field transducer based on nanoscale optical antenna has been shown to generate high transmission and strongly localized optical spots well below the diffraction limit. In this paper, nanoscale ridge aperture antenna is considered as near-field transducer for heat-assisted magnetic recording. The spot size and transmission efficiency produced by ridge aperture are numerically studied. We show that the ridge apertures in a bowtie or half-bowtie shape are capable of generating small optical spots as well as elongated optical spots with desired aspect ratios for magnetic recording. The transmission efficiency can be improved by adding grooves around the apertures.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of nano-sized iron oxides

Nano-sized iron oxide powder with average crystallite sizes 35, 100 and 150 nm was prepared by thermal evaporation and co-precipitation techniques. The synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis technique, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The prepared powders were tested as catalysts for the photo catalytic decomposition of Congo red dye. The effect of crystal size of iron oxides on the rate of decomposition of Congo red dye was investigated in visible light as well as in the absence of light. The experimental results show that both iron oxides with crystallite size 35 and 150 nm cause complete decomposition of Congo red dye while iron oxide particles with crystallite size 100 nm were unable to decompose the dye.     

T-matrix-based inverse algorithm for morphologic characterization of nonspherical particles using multispectral diffuse optical tomography

An inverse algorithm is presented for tomographically imaging morphologic characteristics of nonspherical particles in heterogeneous turbid media. The particles are assumed to have spheroidal shapes with random orientations. The inverse algorithm is based on a relationship of the particle scattering spectra, obtained from multispectral diffuse optical tomography, and the size, concentration, and aspect ratio of spheroidal particles through the T-matrix method. The algorithm is implemented based on Tikhonov-Marquardt regularization techniques that minimize the difference between the observed and calculated scattering spectra. Different statistical models are assumed for the suspended nonspherical particles and the performance of the inverse algorithm is tested using noise-corrupted data up to 50% noise added to the observed scattering spectra.     

Magnetic Non-Spherical Particles Inducing Vortices in Microchannel for Effective Mixing

Mixing in microfluidic channels is dominated by diffusion owing to the absence of chaotic flow. However, high-efficiency microscale mixing over short distances is desired for the development of lab-on-chip systems. Here, enhanced mixing in microchannels achieved using magnetic nonspherical particles (MNSPs), is reported. Benefiting from the nonspherical shape of the MNSPs, secondary vortices exhibiting cyclical characteristics appear in microchannels when the MNSPs rotate under an external magnetic field. Increasing the rotation rate enlarges the secondary vortices, expanding the mixing zone and enhancing the mixing, resulting in a mixing efficiency exceeding 0.9 at Re of 0.069–0.69. Complementary micro-particle image velocimetry (µPIV) for flow field analysis clarifies the mixing mechanism. In addition, a chaotic vortex area is generated in the presence of two MNSPs, which shortens the distance required for achieving an appropriate mixing efficiency. This study demonstrates the potential of employing MNSPs as efficient mixers in lab-on-chip devices.     

Oxide-based inorganic/organic and nanoporous spherical particles: synthesis and functional properties

Abstract

This paper reviews the recent progress in the preparation of oxide-based and heteroatom-doped particles. Surfactant-templated oxide particles, e.g. silica and titania, are possible candidates for various potential applications such as adsorbents, photocatalysts, and optoelectronic and biological materials. We highlight nanoporous oxides of one element, such as silicon or titanium, and those containing multiple elements, which exhibit properties that are not achieved with individual components. Although the multicomponent nanoporous oxides possess a number of attractive functions, the origin of their properties is hard to determine due to compositional/structural complexity. Particles with a well-defined size and shape are keys for a quantitative and detailed discussion on the unique complex properties of the particles. From this viewpoint, we review the synthesis techniques of the oxide particles, which are functionalized with organic molecules or doped with heteroatoms, the physicochemical properties of the particles and the possibilities for their photofunctional applications as complex systems.     

Design,Properties, and In Vivo Behavior of Super­paramagnetic Persistent Luminescence Nanohybrids

With the fast development of noninvasive diagnosis, the design of multimodal imaging probes has become a promising challenge. If many monofunctional nanocarriers have already proven their efficiency, only few multifunctional nanoprobes have been able to combine the advantages of diverse imaging modalities. An innovative nanoprobe called mesoporous persistent luminescence magnetic nanohybrids (MPNHs) is described that shows both optical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) properties intended for in vivo multimodal imaging in small animals. MPNHs are based on the assembly of chromium‐doped zinc gallate oxide and ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles embedded in a mesoporous silica shell. MPNHs combine the optical advantages of persistent luminescence, such as real time imaging with highly sensitive and photostable detection, and MRI negative contrast properties that ensure in vivo imaging with rather high spatial resolution. In addition to their imaging capabilities, these MPNHs can be motioned in vitro with a magnet, which opens multiple perspectives in magnetic vectorization and cell therapy research.     

Seed-mediated synthesis of iron oxide and gold/iron oxide nanoparticles

In this study, we prepared magnetic iron oxide and gold/iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) and characterized their morphologies and properties by XRD, TEM, EDX, VSM and UV-vis measurements. The magnetite iron oxide NPs of 10 nm were synthesized by coprecipitation of Fe2+ and Fe+3 in the solution of NH4OH and then they were used as seed particles for the subsequent growth to prepare the magnetite NPs of different particle sizes and also to prepare gold/iron oxide composite NPs. All those magnetite NPs are superparamagnetic and the gold/iron oxide composite NPs combine the optical and magnetic properties, which are contributed by gold and iron oxide components, respectively.     

Rapid magnetophoretic separation of microalgae

Magnetic collection of the microalgae Chlorella sp. from culture media facilitated by low-gradient magnetophoretic separation is achieved in real time. A removal efficiency as high as 99% is accomplished by binding of iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) to microalgal cells in the presence of the cationic polyelectrolyte poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) as a binder and subsequently subjecting the mixture to a NdFeB permanent magnet with surface magnetic field ≈6000 G and magnetic field gradient <80 T m(-1) . Surface functionalization of magnetic NPs with PDDA before exposure to Chlorella sp. is proven to be more effective in promoting higher magnetophoretic removal efficiency than the conventional procedure, in which premixing of microalgal cells with binder is carried out before the addition of NPs. Rodlike NPs are a superior candidate for enhancing the magnetophoretic separation compared to spherical NPs due to their stable magnetic moment that originates from shape anisotropy and the tendency to form large NP aggregates. Cell chaining is observed for nanorod-tagged Chlorella sp. which eventually fosters the formation of elongated cell clusters.     

Absorption and scattering properties of dense ensembles of nonspherical particles

The purpose of this work is to show that an appropriate multiple T-matrix formalism can be useful in performing qualitative studies of the optical properties of colloidal systems composed of nonspherical objects (despite limitations concerning nonspherical particle packing densities). In this work we have calculated the configuration averages of scattering and absorption cross sections of different clusters of dielectric particles. These clusters are characterized by their refraction index, particle shape, and filling fraction. Computations were performed with the recursive centered T-matrix algorithm (RCTMA), a previously established method for solving the multiple scattering equation of light from finite clusters of isotropic dielectric objects. Comparison of the average optical cross sections between the different systems highlights variations in the scattering and absorption properties due to the electromagnetic interactions, and we demonstrate that the magnitudes of these quantities are clearly modulated by the shape of the primary particles.     

磁驱动相变材料研究进展

磁驱动相变材料利用外磁控制下铁弹马氏体变体重排或磁诱导一级相变产生的形状记忆效应来捕获应变,兼具铁弹形状记忆与磁致伸缩功效特征。Heusler型Ni-Mn-X(X=Ga或In)系磁驱动相变合金材料具有磁感生应变大、能量密度高、反应速度快等优点,是未来重要磁传感器和磁驱动器研制的关键。主要介绍了国内外Ni-Mn-Ga、Ni-Co-Mn-In、反铁磁体等磁驱动相变材料的研究进展,以及本课题组利用高能X射线衍射和中子散射技术对磁驱动相变材料的原位研究。最后,展望了磁驱动相变合金材料的发展趋势。     

Self-organized magnetic nanowire arrays based on alumina and titania templates

Densely packed arrays of magnetic nanowires have been synthesized by electrodeposition filling of nanopores in alumina and titania membranes formed by self-assembling during anodization process. Emphasis is made on the control of the production parameters leading to ordering degree and lattice parameter of the array as well as nanowires diameter and length. Structural, morphological and magnetic properties exhibited by nanowire arrays have been studied for several nanowire compositions, different ordering degree and for different nanowire aspect ratios. The magnetic behaviour of nanowires array is governed by the balance between different energy contributions: shape anisotropy of individual nanowires, the magnetostatic interaction of dipolar origin among nanowires, and magnetocrystalline and magnetoelastic anisotropies induced by the pattern templates. These novel nanocomposites, based on ferromagnetic nanowires embedded in anodic nanoporous templates, are becoming promising candidates for technological applications such as functionalised arrays for magnetic sensing, ultrahigh density magnetic storage media or spin-based electronic devices.     

Peculiarities of metal oxide nanoparticles obtained in acoustoplasma discharge

Nanoparticles of tungsten, copper, iron, and zinc oxides were synthesized in acoustoplasma discharge. Their size distribution was studied by electron microscopy and laser correlation spectroscopy. Ultrasound was found to narrow significantly the size distribution width of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Water suspensions of zinc oxide nanoparticles showed photoluminescence in red and near infrared spectral ranges, which makes them a promising material for luminescent diagnostics of biological systems.     

Adsorption behavior of multiwall carbon nanotube/iron oxide magnetic composites for Ni(II) and Sr(II)

Multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/iron oxide magnetic composites were prepared, and were characterized by scan electron microscopy using a field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometer. The adsorptions of Ni(II) and Sr(II) onto MWCNT/iron oxide magnetic composites were studied as a function of pH and ionic strength. The results show that the adsorptions of Ni(II) and Sr(II) on the magnetic composites is strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength. The adsorption capacity of the magnetic composites is much higher than that of MWCNTs and iron oxides. The solid magnetic composites can be separated from the solution by a magnetic process. The Langmuir model fits the adsorption isotherm data of Ni(II) better than the Freundlich model. Results of desorption study shows that Ni(II) adsorbed onto the magnetic composites can be easily desorbed at pH<2.0. MWCNT/iron oxide magnetic composites may be a promising candidate for pre-concentration and solidification of heavy metal ions and radionuclides from large volumes of aqueous solution, as required for remediation purposes.