Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Single step aerosol synthesis of nanocomposites by aerosol routes: γ-Fe2O3/SiO2 and their functionalization

  • Published:
Journal of Materials Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A single step gas phase method was developed to synthesize silica-coated iron oxide nanocomposite materials in a furnace aerosol reactor (FuAR) using premixed precursors. Synthesis of single component silica and magnetic iron oxide was studied to understand the decomposition mechanism of the precursors, identify the product crystal phase, and optimize the viable operating conditions for the controlled synthesis of nanocomposite material with desirable crystal phase, size, and morphology. The single component decomposition results are further extended to synthesize silica-coated magnetic iron oxide nanocomposite material using premixed precursor. A mechanism was proposed to explain the formation of SiO2-coated γ-Fe2O3 nanocomposite in a single step in a FuAR based on chemical kinetics and was verified by supporting characterization results. The synthesized magnetic γ-Fe2O3/SiO2 nanocomposite material was further tested for suspension stability, magnetic properties, and surface reactivity and was compared with uncoated γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles to demonstrate improved surface properties.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

FIG. 1.
FIG. 2.
TABLE I.
FIG. 3.
FIG. 4.
FIG. 5.
FIG. 6.
FIG. 7.
FIG. 8.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. F.Q. Hu, L. Wei, Z. Zhou, Y.L. Ran, Z. Li, and M.Y. Gao: Preparation of biocompatible magnetite nanocrystals for in vivo magnetic resonance detection of cancer. Adv. Mater. 18, 2553 (2006).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. N.S. Yu, X.P. Hao, X.G. Xu, and M.H. Jiang: Synthesis and optical absorption investigation on Gap/Gan core/shell nanocomposite materials. Mater. Lett. 61, 523 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. A.A. Athawale and S.V. Bhagwat: Synthesis and characterization of novel copper/polyaniline nanocomposite and application as a catalyst in the Wacker oxidation reaction. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 89, 2412 (2003).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. A.K. Cuentas-Gallegos, M. Lira-Cantu, N. Casan-Pastor, and P. Gomez-Romero: Nanocomposite hybrid molecular materials for application in solid-state electrochemical supercapacitors. Adv. Funct. Mater. 15, 1125 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. E. Thimsen, N. Rastgar, and P. Biswas: Nanostructured TiO2 films with controlled morphology synthesized in a single step process: Performance of dye-sensitized solar cells and photo watersplitting. J. Phys. Chem. C 112, 4134 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. V. Viswanathan, T. Laha, K. Balani, A. Agarwal, and S. Seal: Challenges and advances in nanocomposite processing techniques. Mater. Sci. Eng., R 54, 121 (2006).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. S. Basak, D.R. Chen, and P. Biswas: Electrospray of ionic precursor solutions to synthesize iron oxide nanoparticles: Modified scaling law. Chem. Eng. Sci. 62, 1263 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. C. Cannas, G. Concas, D. Gatteschi, A. Musinu, G. Piccaluga, and C. Sangregorio: How to tailor maghemite particle size in gamma-Fe2O3-SiO2 nanocomposites. J. Mater. Chem. 12, 3141 (2002).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. A. Bourlinos, A. Simopoulos, D. Petridis, H. Okumura, and G. Hadjipanayis: Silica-maghemite nanocomposites. Adv. Mater. 13, 289 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. P. Tartaj, T. Gonzalez-Carreno, and C.J. Serna: Single-step nanoengineering of silica coated maghemite hollow spheres with tunable magnetic properties. Adv. Mater. 13, 1620 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. B.K. McMillin, P. Biswas, and M.R. Zachariah: In situ characterization of vapor phase growth of iron oxide-silica nanocomposites. 1. 2-D planar laser-induced fluorescence and Mie imaging. J. Mater. Res. 11, 1552 (1996).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. H. Ai, C. Flask, B. Weinberg, X. Shuai, M.D. Pagel, D. Farrell, J. Duerk, and J.M. Gao: Magnetite-loaded polymeric micelles as ultrasensitive magnetic-resonance probes. Adv. Mater. 17, 1949 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. J. Qin, S. Laurent, Y.S. Jo, A. Roch, M. Mikhaylova, Z.M. Bhujwalla, R.N. Muller, and M. Muhammed: A high-performance magnetic resonance imaging T-2 contrast agent. Adv. Mater. 19, 1874 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. P.X. Zhi, H.Z. Qing, Q.L. Gao, and B.Y. Ai: Inorganic nanoparticles as carriers for efficient cellular delivery. Chem. Eng. Sci. 61, 1027 (2006).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. S.K. Pulfer, S.L. Ciccotto, and J.M. Gallo: Distribution of small magnetic particles in brain tumor-bearing rats. J. Neurooncol. 41, 99 (1999).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. S. Dutz, R. Hergt, J. Murbe, J. Topfer, R. Muller, M. Zeisberger, W. Andra, and M.E. Bellemann: Magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical heating applications. J. Res. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 220, 145 (2006).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. U. Gaur, S.K. Sahoo, T.K. De, P.C. Ghosh, A. Maitra, and P.K. Ghosh: Biodistribution of fluoresceinated dextran using novel nanoparticles evading reticuloendothelial system. Int. J. Pharm. 202, 1 (2000).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. A.K. Gupta and M. Gupta: Synthesis and surface engineering of iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Biomaterials 26, 3995 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Y.K. Sun, L. Duan, Z.R. Guo, D.M. Yun, M. Ma, L. Xu, Y. Zhang, and N. Gu: An improved way to prepare superparamagnetic magnetite-silica core-shell nanoparticles for possible biological application. J. Magn. Magn. Mater. 285, 65 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. S. Achilefu, S. Bloch, M.A. Markiewicz, T.X. Zhong, Y.P. Ye, R.B. Dorshow, B. Chance, and K.X. Liang: Synergistic effects of light-emitting probes and peptides for targeting and monitoring integrin expression. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 102, 7976 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. N. Kohler, G.E. Fryxell, and M.Q. Zhang: A bifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) silane immobilized on metallic oxide-based nanoparticles for conjugation with cell targeting agents. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126, 7206 (2004).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. D.R. Powers: Kinetics of SiCl4 oxidation. J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 61, 295 (1978).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. P. Biswas, C.Y. Wu, M.R. Zachariah, and B. McMillin: Characterization of iron oxide-silica nanocomposites in flames: Part II. Comparison of discrete-sectional model predictions to experimental data. J. Mater. Res. 12, 714 (1997).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. M.N.A. Karlsson, K. Deppert, B.A. Wacaser, L.S. Karlsson, and J.O. Malm: Size-controlled nanoparticles by thermal cracking of iron pentacarbonyl. Appl. Phys. A 80, 1579 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. K.S. Rane, V.M.S. Verenkar, R.M. Pednekar, and P.Y. Sawant: Hydrazine method of synthesis of gamma-Fe2O3 useful in ferrites preparation. Part III—Study of hydrogen iron oxide phase in gamma-Fe2O3. J. Mater. Sci.- Mater. Electron. 10, 121 (1999).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. S. Bruni, F. Cariati, M. Casu, A. Lai, A. Musinu, G. Piccaluga, and S. Solinas: IR and NMR study of nanoparticle-support interactions in a Fe2O3-SiO2 nanocomposite prepared by a sol-gel method. Nanostruct. Mater. 11, 573 (1999).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. U. Kunzelmann, H.J. Jacobasch, and G. Reinhard: Investigations of the influence of vapor-phase inhibitors on the surface-charge of iron-oxide particles by zeta-potential measurements. Mater. Corros. 40, 723 (1989).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. J. Kim and D.F. Lawler: Characteristics of zeta potential distribution in silica particles. Bull. Korean Chem. Soc. 26, 1083 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. C. Cannas, M.F. Casula, G. Concas, A. Corrias, D. Gatteschi, A. Falqui, A. Musinu, C. Sangregorio, and G. Spano: Magnetic properties of gamma-Fe2O3-SiO2 aerogel and xerogel nanocomposite materials. J. Mater. Chem. 11, 3180 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. C. Cannas, G. Concas, D. Gatteschi, A. Falqui, A. Musinu, G. Piccaluga, C. Sangregorio, and G. Spano: Superparamagnetic behaviour of gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles dispersed in a silica matrix. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 3, 832 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. K.S. Suslick, M.M. Fang, and T. Hyeon: Sonochemical synthesis of iron colloids. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 118, 11960 (1996).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. S. Achilefu, R.B. Dorshow, J.E. Bugaj, and R. Rajagopalan: Novel receptor-targeted fluorescent contrast agents for in vivo tumor imaging. Invest. Radiol. 35, 479 (2000).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank the Department of Defense (DoD-MURI FA9550-04-1-0430) and the Center of Materials Innovation at Washington University in St. Louis for partial support for this work. Partial funding by the McDonnell Academy Global Energy and Environmental Partnership (mageep.wustl.edu) and the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum is gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Soubir Basak

    Present address: Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, 63130, USA

    Soubir Basak & Vinay Tiwari

  2. Center for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, 400076, India

    Vinay Tiwari & Virendra Sethi

  3. Department of Radiology, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA

    Jinda Fan & Samuel Achilefu

Authors
  1. Soubir Basak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Vinay Tiwari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jinda Fan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Samuel Achilefu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Virendra Sethi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Pratim Biswas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Basak, S., Tiwari, V., Fan, J. et al. Single step aerosol synthesis of nanocomposites by aerosol routes: γ-Fe2O3/SiO2 and their functionalization. Journal of Materials Research 26, 1225–1233 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2011.97

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2011.97

Search

Navigation