Multifunctional CNTs nanohybrids decorated with magnetic and fluorescent nanoparticles layer-by-layer

Fe₃O₄/CNTs nanocomposites, which were prepared by polyol-medium in situ high-temperature decomposition of Fe(acac)₃ using PVP as stabilizing agent and modified with SDS, were further decorated with high-quality ZnS nanocrystal via a wet technique in glycol solution. The obtained ZnS/Fe₃O₄/CNTs nanohybrids were characterized by XRD, FT–IR, Raman microscope, TEM, EDS, XPS, VSM and fluorophotometers. Results indicated that magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and fluorescent ZnS nanocrystal were uniformly dispersed on the surface of CNTs layer-by-layer with PVP and SDS as stabilizing agent and ion-capture agent, respectively. The novel multi-functional nanohybrids exhibit super-paramagnetic properties with a saturation magnetization about 6·795 emu g^???1 at room temperature and show a strong emission band at 367 nm with a broad shoulder around 342–483 nm due to the interactions and/or background emissions of Fe₃O₄ and CNTs. The superparamagnetic and fluorescent properties of obtained products are promising for potential applications in magnetically guided and fluorescence tracing drug delivery systems.