Effect of vacuum annealing on the characteristics of composite pellets containing DBSA-doped polyaniline and Fe nanoparticles

The DBSA-PANI-Fe composite powder with 50wt% of Fe nanoparticles was prepared by mechanically mixing the DBSA-doped polyaniline powder and Fe nanoparticles. The composite powder was compacted to pellets and the pellets were annealed in vacuum at 443,493,543, and 593 K for 60 and 120 min. The conductivity of the pellet increases markedly with increasing the annealing temperature up to 493 K, and then decreases with further increasing the annealing temperature. When the pellet was annealed at 493 K for 60 min, the increment of conductivity reaches a maximum value, and the conductivity is 2.6 times as large as that of the pellet unannealed. The conductivities of the pellets annealed under the conditions of 543 K/120 min, 593 K/60 min, and 593 K/120 min are lower than the conductivity of the pellet unannealed. For all the pellets, the variation in conductivity with temperature reveals that the charge transport mechanism can be considered to be 1-D variable-range-hopping （1-D VRH）. The composite pellet shows a magnetic hysteresis loop independent of the annealing condition. The saturation magnetization is about 5.4×10^4 emu/kg. The saturation field and the coercivity are estimated to be 4.38×10^5 and 3.06×10^4 A/m, respectively. The crystalline structure ofFe nanoparticles in the composites does not change with the annealing condition. The annealing condition cannot destroy the polymer backbones.

Effect of Ni on Removal of Pentachlorophenol with Fe Nanoparticles

Chlorinated phenols are a kind of environmental priority pollutants that attract much attention. The effect of Ni on the removal of pentachlorophenol （PCP） with Fe nanoparticles was investigated in this study. Fe nanoparticles and Ni submicron particles were synthesized using chemical reduction method and wet chemical techniques, respectively. And the concentrations of PCP and chloride ion in solutions were measured with and without Ni present. The results showed that the dechlorination of PCP was promoted in the presence of Ni particles, and the dechlorination efficiency was reduced along with the increase of Ni size. When the diameter of Ni particle was smaller than 300 nm, the removal efficiency of PCP was obviously increased in the initial 4 h, and then became the similar to that of the system with Fe only. When the diameter of Ni particle was between 400 nm and 1 μm, the removal efficiency of PCP was increased in the initial 1 h. Then the removal of PCP was inhibited, and the inhibition was increased with the increase of Ni size. Later, the removal efficiency was the similar in various systems.

Characterization of carbon encapsulated Fe-nanoparticles prepared by confined arc plasma

Carbon encapsulated Fe nanoparticles were successfully prepared via confined arc plasma method. The composition, morphology, microstructure, specific surface area and particle size of the product were characterized via X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller N2 adsorption. The experiment results show that the carbon encapsulated Fe nanoparticles have clear core-shell structure. The core of the particles is body centered cubic Fe, and the shell is disorder carbons. The particles are in spherical or ellipsoidal shapes. The particle size of the nanocapsules ranges from 15 to 40 nm, with the average value of about 30 nm. The particle diameter of the core is 18 nm, the thickness of the shells is 6-8 nm, and the specific surface area is 24 m2/g.

Dechlorination mechanism of 2,4-dichlorophenol by Ni/Fe nanoparticles in the presence of humic acid

To understand the feasibility of its application to the in situ remediation of contaminated groundwater,the dechlori-nation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) by Ni/Fe nanoparticles in the presence of humic acid (HA) was investigated.We found that,as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used,the 2,4-DCP was first quickly reduced to o-chlorophenol (o-CP) and p-chlorophenol (p-CP),and then reduced to phenol as the final product.Our experimental results indicated that HA had an adverse effect on the dechlorination of 2,4-DCP by Ni/Fe nanoparticles,as the HA concentration increased,the removal rate decreased evidently.It also demonstrated that 2,4-DCP was reduced more easily to o-CP than to p-CP,and that the sequence of the tendency in dechlorination of intermediates was p-CP>o-CP.Transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed that HA could act as an adsorbate to compete reactive sites on the surface of Ni/Fe nanoparticles to decrease the dechlorination rate.Also we con-cluded that the dechlorination reaction of 2,4-DCP over Ni/Fe nanoparticles progressed through catalytic reductive dechlorination.

Folate-conjugated Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles for in vivo tumor labeling

Highly biocompatible superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by amide of folic acid （FA） ligands and the NH2-group onto the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The as-synthesized folate-conjugated Fe3O4 nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction diffractometer, transmission electron microscope, FT-IR spectrometer, vibrating sample magnetometer, and dynamic light scattering instrument. The in vivo labeling effect of folate-conjugated Fe3O4 nanoparticles on the hepatoma cells was investigated in tumor-bearing rat. The results demonstrate that the as-prepared nanoparticles have cubic structure of Fe3O4 with a particle size of about 8 nm and hydrated diameter of 25.7 nm at a saturation magnetization of 51 A·m2/kg. These nanoparticles possess good physiological stability, low cytotoxicity on human skin fibroblasts and negligible effect on Wistar rats at the concentration as high as 3 mg/kg body mass. The folate-conjugated Fe3O4 nanoparticles could be effectively mediated into the human hepatoma Bel 7402 cells through the binding of folate and folic acid receptor, enhancing the signal contrast of tumor tissue and surrounding normal tissue in MRI imaging. It is in favor of the tumor cells labeling, tracing, magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） target detection and magnetic hyperthermia.

Irradiation induced elongation of Fe nanoparticles embedded in silica films

Irradiation with swift heavy ions causes the deformation of Ferric nanoparticles in direction of the ion beam.Fe nanoparticles with mean diameter of about 20 nm were prepared by gas flow sputtering and subsequently confined within silica films.Two silica films wherein two different densities of Fe nanoparticles are encapsulated were irradiated with 50 MeV Ag ions with fluences of few 1014 ions.cm^(-2) at 300 K and normal incidence.Transmission electron microscopy analysis shows that the spherical Fe nanoparticles are deformed into prolate nanorods aligned in direction of the incident ion beam.The depth distribution profiles of irradiated particles reveal the presence of a critical fluence above which the elongation kinetics becomes dependent on the nanoparticles density.Analysis indicates that for the lower density particles,a saturation length is reached under irradiation to fluence between 3-4×10^(14) ions.cm^(-2).However,for the higher density,collective growth into aligned nanowires is presumed to take place.Hysteresis curves of the saturation magnetization and coercivity indicate an increasing magnetic anisotropy,which can be correlated with the deformation of nanoparticles in the direction of the ion beam.

Size-dependent peroxidase-like catalytic activity of Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles

Peroxidase-like catalytic properties of Fe3O4 nanoparficles （NPs） with three different sizes, synthesized by chemical coprecipitation and sol-gel methods, were investigated by UV-vis spectrum analysis. By comparing Fe3O4 NPs with average diameters of 11, 20, and 150 nm, we found that the catalytic activity increases with the reduced nanoparticle size. The electrochemical method to characterize the catalytic activity of Fe3O4 NPs using the response currents of the reaction product and substrate was also developed.

Ammonia-treatment assisted fully encapsulation of Fe_2O_3 nanoparticles in mesoporous carbons as stable anodes for lithium ion batteries

To improve the initial coulombic efficiency and bulk density of ordered mesoporous carbons, active Fe203 nanoparticles were introduced into tubular mesopore channels of CMK-5 carbon, which possesses high specific surface area （〉1700 m2.g-1） and large pore volume （〉1.8 cm3-g-1）. Fine Fe203 nanoparticles with sizes in the range of 5-7 nm were highly and homogenously encapsulated into CMK-5 matrix through ammonia-treatment and subsequent pyrolysis method. The Fe203 loading was carefully tailored and designed to warrant a high Fe203 content and adequate buffer space for improving the electrochemical performance. In particular, such Fe203 and mesoporous carbon composite with 47 wt% loading exhibits a considerably stable cycle performance （683 mAh.g-1 after 100 cycles, 99% capacity retention against that of the second cycle） as well as good rate capability. The fabrication strategy can effectively solve the drawback of single material, and achieve a high-performance lithium electrode material.

Large scale synthesis of FeS coated Fe nanoparticles as reusable magnetic photocatalysts

The FeS coated Fe nanoparticles were prepared by using high temperature reactions between the commercial Fe nanoparticles and the S powders in a sealed quartz tube. The simple method developed in this work is effective for large scale synthesis of FeS/Fe nanoparticles with tunable shell/core structures, which can be obtained by controlling the atomic ratio of Fe to S. The structural, magnetic and photocatalytic properties of the nanoparticles were investigated systematically. The good photocatalytic performance originating from the FeS shell in degradation of methylene blue under visible light and the high saturation magnetization originating from the ferromagnetic Fe core make the FeS/Fe nanoparticles a good photocatalyst that can be collected and recycled easily with a magnet. An exchange bias up to tl mT induced in Fe by FeS was observed in the Fe/FeS nanoparticles with ferro/antiferromagnetic interfaces. The enhanced coercivi- ty up to 32 mT was ascribed to the size effect of Fe core.

Surface organic modification of Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles by silane-coupling agents

Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared by chemistry co-precipitation and the mean crystal size was 17.9 nm measured by XRD. After it had been treated by silane-coupling agents KH570, magnetic micro-spheres dispersed in organic medium glycol were gained and the mean size of Fe3O4 nanopowders was 33.7 nm. So it can be concluded that magnetic micro-sphere is made of a few Fe3O4 crystals. Many factors of modification were researched, such as the time of ball milling, the content of Fe3O4 and the content of KH570. The modification of Fe3O4 is relative to the time of ball milling, but the dominant function is affected by the content of Fe3O4 and KH570. When the content of Fe3O4 is known, there is a suitable content of KH570. Different content of Fe3O4 will make the different suitable content of KH570, but the range of latter is less than former, which is relative to the distribution of KH570 on Fe3O4 surface or in the solution.

Synthesis and Characteristics of Fe_3C Nanoparticles Embedded in Amorphous Carbon Matrix

We proposed a new way to synthesize a nanocomposite consisted of cementite Fe3C nanoparticles and amorphous carbon by radio frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Transmission electron microscope images show the existence of nanometric dark grains（Fe3C） embedded in a light matrix（amorphous carbon） in the samples. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiment exhibit that the chemical bonding state in the films corresponded to sp3/sp2 amorphous carbon, sp^3 C-N（287.3 eV） and C15 in Fe3C（283.5 eV）. With increasing deposition time, the ratio of amorphous carbon increased. The magnetic measurements show that the value of in-lane coercivity increased with increasing carbon matrix concentration（from about 6.56× 10^3 A/m for film without carbon structures to approximately 2.77× 10^4 and 5.81 × 10^4 AJm for nanocomposite films at room temperature and 10 K, respectively）. The values of saturation magnetization for the synthesized nanocomposites were lower than that of the bulk Fe3C （ 140 Am^2/kg）.

Surface Organic Modification of Fe_3O_4 Magnetic Nanoparticles

The surface organic modification of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with silane coupling reagent KH570 was studied. The modified and unmodified nanoparticles were characterized by FT-IR, XPS and TEM. The spectra of FT-IR and XPS revealed that KH570 was coated onto the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles to get Fe-O- Si bond and an organic coating layer also was formed. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were spheres partly with mean size of 18,8 nm studied by TEM, which was consistent with the result 17.9 nm calculated by Scherrer＇s equation. KH570 was adsorbed on surface and formed chemistry bond to be steric hindrance repulsion which prevented nanoparticles from reuniting. Then glycol-based Fe3O4 magnetic liquids dispersed stably was gained.

Intensification of levofloxacin sono-degradation in a US/H_2O_2 system with Fe_3O_4 magnetic nanoparticles

Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles(MNPs) were synthesised, characterised, and used as a peroxidase mimetic to accelerate levofloxacin sono-degradation in an ultrasound(US)/H2O2 system. The Fe3O4 MNPs were in nanometre scale with an average diameter of approximately 12 to 18 nm. The introduction of Fe3O4 MNPs increased levofloxacin sono-degradation in the US/H2O2 system. Experimental parameters, such as Fe3O4 MNP dose, initial solution p H, and H2O2 concentration, were investigated by a one-factor-at-a-time approach. The results showed that Fe3O4 MNPs enhanced levofloxacin removal in the p H range from 4.0 to 9.0. Levofloxacin removal ratio increased with Fe3O4 MNP dose up to 1.0 g·L-1and with H2O2 concentration until reaching the maximum. Moreover, three main intermediate compounds were identified by HPLC with electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry, and a possible degradation pathway was proposed. This study suggests that combination of H2O2, Fe3O4 MNPs and US is a good way to improve the degradation efficiency of antibiotics.

Lipase Immobilization onto the Surface of PGMA-b-PDMAEMA-grafted Magnetic Nanoparticles Prepared via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

A block copolymer of 2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate(DMAEMA) and glycidyl methacrylate(GMA)was grafted onto the surface of magnetic nanoparticles(Fe3O4) via atom transfer radical polymerization.The resultant PGMA-b-PDMAEMA-grafted-Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles with amino and epoxy groups were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, thermo-gravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Lipase from Burkholderia cepacia was successfully immobilized onto the magnetic nanoparticles by physical adsorption and covalent bonding. The immobilization capacity of the magnetic particles is 0.5 mg lipase per mg support, with an activity recovery of up to 43.1% under the optimum immobilization condition. Biochemical characterization shows that the immobilized lipase exhibits improved thermal stability, good tolerance to organic solvents with high lg P, and higher p H stability than the free lipase at p H 9.0. After six consecutive cycles, the residual activity of the immobilized lipase is still over55% of its initial activity.

Towards High-performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: the Modification of Polypropylene Separator by 3D Porous Carbon Structure Embedded with Fe3C/Fe Nanoparticles

Lithium-sulfur(Li-S)batteries with high energy densities have received increasing attention.However,the electrochemical performance of Li-S batteries is still far from the satisfactory of the practical application,which can be mainly attributed to the shuttling of polysulfides and the slow reaction kinetics of polysulfide conversion.To address this issue,a 3D porous carbon structure constructed by 2D N-doped graphene and 1D carbon nanotubes with embedded Fe3C/Fe nanoparticles(NG@Fe3C/Fe)was designed and prepared by a simple programmed calcination method for the modification of polypropylene(PP)separator.The Fe3C/Fe nanoparticles demonstrate an excellent catalytic conversion and strong chemisorption towards polysulfides,while the unique architecture of N-doped graphene promotes the Li+/electron transfer and the physical adsorption of polysulfides.The electrochemical performance of the Li-S batteries with the NG@Fe3C/Fe-modified separator is significantly improved.A large discharge capacity of 1481 mA∙h∙g-1 is achieved at 0.2 C(1 C=1675 mA/g),and a high capacity of 601 mA∙h∙g-1 is maintained after discharged/charged for 500 cycles at a current rate of 1 C.This work provides a new approach for the development of high-performance Li-S batteries through the modification of the PP separator by rationally designed composites with large adsorption capability to polysulfides,good wettability to the electrolyte and high catalytic property.

Fe_3O_4 Magnetic Nanoparticles Modified Electrode as a Sensor for Determination of Nimesulide

A novel type of Fe3O4 nanoparticles modified glass carbon electrode（Fe3O4/GCE） was constructed and the electrochemical properties of N-（4-nitro-2-phenoxyphenyl）methanesulfonamide（nimesulide） were studied on the Fe3O4/GCE.In 0.4mol/L HAc-NaAc buffer solution（pH=5.0）,the electrode process of nimesulide was irreversible at bare GCE and Fe3O4/GCE.The Fe3O4/GCE exhibited a remarkable catalytic and enhancement effect on the reduction of nimesulide.The reduction peak potential of nimesulide shifted positively from-0.683 V at bare GCE to-0.625 V at Fe3O4/GCE,and the sensitivity was increased by ca.3 times.Some experimental conditions were optimized.The linear range between the peak current and the concentration of nimesulide was 2.6×10-6 ＂1.0×10-4mol/L（R=0.993） with a detection limit of 1.3×10-7mol/L.This method has been used to determine the content of nimesulide in medical tablets.The recovery was determined to be 96.9% ＂101.9% by means of standard addition method.The method is comparable to UV-Vis spectrometry.

Characteristics of magnetic Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles encapsulated with human serum albumin

Magnetic nanoparticles （Fe304） were prepared by chemical precipitation method using Fe^2＋ and Fe^3＋ salts with sodium hydroxide in the nitrogen atmosphere. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were coated with human serum albumin（HSA） for magnetic resonance imaging as contrast agent. Characteristics of magnetic particles coated or uncoated were carried out using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Zeta potentials, package effects and distributions of colloid particles were measured to confirm the attachment of HSA on magnetic particles. Effects of Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated with HSA on magnetic resonance imaging were investigated with rats. The experimental results show that the adsorption of HSA on magnetic particles is very favorable to dispersing of magnetic Fe3O4 particles, while the sizes of Fe3O4 particles coated are related to the molar ratio of Fe3O4 to HSA. The diameters of the majority of particles coated are less than 100 nm. Fe3O4 nanoparticle coated with HSA has a good biocompatibility and low toxicity. This new contrast agent has some effects on the nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of liver and the lowest dosage is 20μmol/kg for the demands of diagnosis.

Modification of Fe_3O_4 Magnetic Nanoparticles by L-dopa or Dopamine as an Enzyme Support

Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation of Fe^2＋ and Fe^3＋ in an ammonia solution, and its size was about 36 nm measured by an atomic force microscope. Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were modified by L-dopa or dopamine using sonication method. The analysis of FTIR clearly indicated the formation of Fe-O-C bond. Direct immobilization of trypsin （EC： 3.4.21.4） on Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles with L-dopa and dopamine spacer was investigated using glutaraldehyde as a coupling agent. No significant changes in the size and magnetic property of the three kinds of magnetic nanoparticles linked with or without trypsin were observed. The existence of the spacer molecule on magnetic nanoparticles could greatly improve the activity and the storage stability of bound trypsin through increasing the flexibility of enzyme and changing the microenvironment on nanoparticles surface compared to the naked magnetic nanoparticles.

Static magnetic field-assisted synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and their adsorption of Mn(Ⅱ) in aqueous solution

A facile method for synthesis of the magnetic Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles was introduced.Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared via co-precipitation method with(PMF) and without(AMF) 0.15 T static magnetic field.The effects of magnetic field on the properties of magnetic nanoparticles were studied by XRD,TEM,SEM,VSM and BET.The results showed that the magnetic field in the co-precipitation reaction process did not result in the phase change of the Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles but improved the crystallinity.The morphology of Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles was varied from random spherical particles to rod-like cluster structure.The VSM results indicated that the saturation magnetization value of the Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles was significantly improved by the magnetic field.The BET of Fe_3O_4nanoparticles prepared with the magnetic field was larger than the control by 23.5%.The batch adsorption experiments of Mn(Ⅱ) on the PMF and AMF Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles showed that the Mn(II) equilibrium capacity was increased with the pH value increased.At pH 8,the Mn(Ⅱ) adsorption capacity for the PMF and AMF Fe_3O_4 was reached at 36.81 and 28.36 mg·g^(-1),respectively.The pseudo-second-order model fitted better the kinetic models and the Freundlich model fitted isotherm model well for both PMF and AMF Fe_3O_4.The results suggested that magnetic nanoparticles prepared by the magnetic field presented a fairly good potential as an adsorbent for an efficient removal of Mn(Ⅱ) from aqueous solution.

Sono-assisted preparation of magnetic ferroferric oxide/graphene oxide nanoparticles and application on dye removal

A simple ultrasound-assisted co-precipitation method was developed to prepare ferroferric oxide/graphene oxide magnetic nanoparticles(Fe_3O_4/CO MNPs).The hysteresis loop of Fe_3O_4/GO MNPs demonstrated that the sample was typical of superparamagnetic material.The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscope,and it is found that the particles are of small size.The Fe_3O_4/GO MNPs were further used as an adsorbent to remove Rhodamine B.The effects of initial pH of the solution,the dosage of adsorbent,temperature,contact time and the presence of interfering dyes on adsorption performance were investigated as well.The adsorption equilibrium and kinetics data were fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm and the pseudosecond-order kinetic model respectively.The adsorption process followed intra-particle diffusion model with more than one process affecting the adsorption of Rhodamine B.And the adsorption process was endothermic in nature.Furthermore,the magnetic composite with a high adsorption capacity of Rhodamine B could be effectively and simply separated using an external magnetic field.And the used particles could be regenerated and recycled easily.The magnetic composite could find potential applications for the removal of dye pollutants.