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Shape-control by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method for the synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles using organic additives

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Abstract

A simple and fast microwave-assisted hydrothermal method is proposed for the synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles. The addition of different surfactants (polyvinylpyrrolidone, oleic acid, or trisodium citrate) was studied to investigate the effect on size distribution, morphology, and functionalization of the magnetite nanoparticles. Microwave irradiation at 150 °C for 2 h of aqueous ferrous chloride and hydrazine without additives resulted in hexagonal magnetite nanoplatelets with a facet-to-facet distance of 116 nm and a thickness of 40 nm having a saturation magnetization of ~65 Am2 kg−1. The use of polyvinylpyrrolidone led to hexagonal nanoparticles with a facet-to-facet distance of 120 nm and a thickness of 53 nm with a saturation magnetization of ~54 Am2 kg−1. Additives such as oleic acid and trisodium citrate yielded quasi-spherical nanoparticles of 25 nm in size with a saturation magnetization of ~70 Am2 kg−1 and spheroidal nanoparticles of 60 nm in size with a saturation magnetization up to ~82 Am2 kg−1, respectively. A kinetic control of the crystal growth is believed to be responsible for the hexagonal habit of the nanoparticles obtained without additive. Conversely, a thermodynamic control of the crystal growth, leading to spheroidal nanoparticles, seems to occur when additives which strongly interact with the nanoparticle surface are used. A thorough characterization of the materials was performed. Magnetic properties were investigated by Superconducting Quantum Interference Device and Vibrating Sample magnetometers. Based on the observed magnetic properties, the magnetite obtained using citrate appears to be a promising support for magnetically transportable catalysts.

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Acknowledgments

Part of this work has been carried out within the activities fostering sustainable manufacturing of “SOSTENERE” interest group—AITEM association. Regione Puglia is gratefully acknowledged for financial support (X-Ray Lab Project–Reti di Laboratori Pubblici di Ricerca, cod. n. 45 and 56). We thank Dr. D. Peddis for the useful discussion on magnetic properties, Mr E. Patrizi for technical assistance in magnetic measurements, and Giuseppe Chita (IC-CNR, Bari, Italy) for his contribution in XRD data collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, del Territorio, Edile e di Chimica, Politecnico di Bari, 70125, Bari, Italy

    Antonino Rizzuti & Piero Mastrorilli

  2. Dipartimento di Meccanica, Management e Matematica, Politecnico di Bari, 70126, Bari, Italy

    Michele Dassisti

  3. Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Bari, 70125, Bari, Italy

    Maria C. Sportelli, Nicola Cioffi & Rosaria A. Picca

  4. Istituto di Struttura della Materia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00015, Monterotondo Scalo RM Roma, Italy

    Elisabetta Agostinelli & Gaspare Varvaro

  5. Istituto di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 70126, Bari, Italy

    Rocco Caliandro

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  1. Antonino Rizzuti
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  2. Michele Dassisti
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  3. Piero Mastrorilli
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Correspondence to Piero Mastrorilli.

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Rizzuti, A., Dassisti, M., Mastrorilli, P. et al. Shape-control by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method for the synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles using organic additives. J Nanopart Res 17, 408 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-015-3213-0

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