Comparative Study between Magnetite Nanoparticles and Magnetite/Silver as a Core/Shell Nanostructure

Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) and magnetite/silver nanoparticles (M/Ag NPs) were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+. In case of M/Ag NPs, MNPs (core) were separately coated by silver metal (shell) in presence of glucose as a reducing agent. The particle size and morphology of the nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Magnetic properties were investigated by vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The superparamagnetic natures of the nanoparticles were confirmed by the absence of the hysteresis loop. Coverage with silver produced a core-shell heterostructure which weakens magnetization of MNPs, inducing an inert character to the fnal nanostructure. The surface conjugation of MNPs with silver metal has been employed in order to improve the compatibility of magnetite nanoparticles to overcome their limitations in practical applications.