The design of novel multifunctional materials based on nanoparticles requires tuning of their magnetic properties, which are strongly dependent on the surface structure. The organic coating represents a unique tool to significantly modify the surface structure trough the bonds between the ligands of the organic molecule and the surface metal atoms. This work presents a critical overview of the effects of the organic coating on the magnetic properties of nanoparticles trough a selection of papers focused on different approaches to control the surface structure and the morphology of nanoparticles’ assemblies.
Synthesis atmosphere (i.e., air and nitrogen) effects on the physical properties and formation mechanism of spinel iron oxide nanoparticles prepared via the co-precipitation method have been investigated using a multi-technique approach. The obtained magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were characterized using the X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), SQUID magnetometry, Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near-edge Structure spectroscopy techniques. The synthesis procedure leads to the formation of a spinel structure with an average crystallite size of 9.0(9) nm. The morphology of the particles synthetized under an inert atmosphere was quasi-spherical, while the nanoparticles prepared in air present a faceted shape. The small differences observed in morphological properties are explained by the influence of the reaction atmosphere on the formation mechanism of the MNPs. The magnetic characterization indicates that both samples exhibit superparamagnetic behavior at 300 K. The investigation by means of the Langevin approach at 300 K also leads to equal values for the mean size of the magnetic cores (Dm). Additionally, the analysis of the Mössbauer spectra revealed the lack of spin disorder for both samples, resulting in a high saturation magnetization. The fit of XANES spectrum suggests that about 2/3 of the iron ions reside in a local environment close to that of γ-Fe2O3 and about 1/3 close to that of Fe3O4 for the sample synthetized in inert atmosphere.
Ti3C2Tx MXene is one of the most comprehensively studied 2D materials in terms of its adsorptive, transport, and catalytic properties, cytotoxic performance, etc. Still, conventional MXene synthesis approaches provide low single-flake MXene yield and frequently uncontrollable properties, demanding further post-processing. The MXene family also lacks magnetism, which is helpful for producing effective nanoadsorbents as their magnetic decantation is the cheapest and most convenient way to remove the spent adsorbent from water. Composite materials consisting of magnetic nanoparticles grown on top of MXene flakes are commonly used to provide magnetic properties to the resulting nanocomposite. In this paper, we study the possibility to delaminate multilayer Ti3C2Tx MXene sheets directly by growing iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles inside their interlayer spacing. We find out that, with a mass fraction of particles comparable or exceeding that of MXenes, their growth is accompanied by an effective enhancement of single-layer MXene yield and suitable magnetic properties of the resulting composite. The developed approach can be further used for simplifying synthesis protocols to obtain magnetic MXene-based nanoadsorbents with tunable properties.
28 April 2023 in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
In this review article, a perspective on the immobilization of various hydrolytic enzymes onto magnetic nanoparticles for synthetic organic chemistry applications is presented. After a first part giving short overview on nanomagnetism and highlighting advantages and disadvantages of immobilizing enzymes on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), the most important hydrolytic enzymes and their applications were summarized. A section reviewing the immobilization techniques with a particular focus on supporting enzymes on MNPs introduces the reader to the final chapter describing synthetic organic chemistry applications of small molecules (flavour esters) and polymers (polyesters and polyamides). Finally, the conclusion and perspective section gives the author's personal view on further research discussing the new idea of a synergistic rational design of the magnetic and biocatalytic component to produce novel magnetic nano‐architectures.