Synthesis, characterization and applications of magnetite nanoparticles

In the past few years, the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles has received considerable attention due to their potential use in clinical applications. Since the properties of these nanoparticles depend strongly on their size, shape and crystallinity, there is a need for a general method to produce these particles with a controlled size, shape and crystal type. Of the many magnetic materials (Co, Ni, and Fe), the magnetite (Fe3O 4) is least toxic and hence most promising for applications in medical diagnostics.;Microemulsion-based synthesis utilizes the local aqueous environment within a reverse micelle as a nano-scale reactor and allows synthesizing nanoparticles with a hydrophilic surface for subsequent functionalization. By controlling the water-to-surfactant ratio, the type of surfactants, and the ionic strength of the aqueous core, one can control the size and shape of the resulting particles. We developed such a system that allows the multi-step synthesis of surface-functionalized, magnetic nanoparticles in a one-pot synthesis reaction. By altering the system chemistry, we were further able to produce either spheres or cylinders of controlled dimension in the size range of 5 nm to 30 nm. Using standard bio-conjugation techniques, we successfully immobilized an enzyme onto the nanoparticles. We also developed a theoretical model for the separation and fractionation of nanoparticles based on their size and magnetic properties. Using the multiphysics and finite element modeling capabilities of FEMLAB(TM), we solved the coupled system of PDEs describing the interaction of magnetic particles within a magnetic field for either static (cylindrical beaker) or convective flow (capillary) conditions. A net retention time as high as 310 s is achieved for 200 nm particles at field strength of 1250 kA/m. The model allows the design of a magnetic, field-flow fractionation (MFFF) system to separate nanoparticles by size.