Synthesis and characterization of monodisperse magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanoparticles of magnetic materials, particularly iron oxides, have been increasing relevant for fundamental magnetism investigations and for biomedical applications. In such studies, the particle size distribution in a given sample (dispersion) must be as narrow as possible, in order to ensure a good control of magnetic properties. In this work we propose to synthesize nanocrystalline samples of magnetite (Fe3O4) and other ferrites by means of a recently described chemical method, which has been successful in producing nanoparticle samples of controlled and homogeneous sizes. The method is based on the chemical reaction of Fe(acac)3 with phenyl ether, oleic acid and a long-chain alcohol at temperatures higher than 200 C. The obtained materials will be characterized by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, VSM and SQUID magnetometry, and Mössbauer spectroscopy.