Abstract:
A simple and efficient method has been developed to synthesize Fe3O4@TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Firstly,magnetite
(Fe3O4) NPs are prepared by co-precipitation method during which an additive coating with polyethylene
glycol (PEG) is applied. Then, the core/shell structured NPs are achieved by including the surface coating of
Fe3O4 NPswith a thin layer of titania (TiO2), usingmodified sol-gel method. The NPs' size, structure, morphology,
surface charge, thermal stability, optical and magnetic properties have been investigated by various characterization
techniques. The results demonstrate the successful coating of the Fe3O4 NPs surfaces with TiO2. Fe3O4@TiO2
NPs have a spherical shape with an average size of 73 nm. The as-prepared Fe3O4@TiO2 NPs exhibit UV wavelengths
absorption and visible light emissions. Furthermore, they exhibit excellent magnetic properties suitable
for magnetic separation and targeting. Being thermodynamically stable, the characteristics of the NPs can be explored
in photonics and further applications like for instance environmental purifications