I'm trying to synthesize gold coated iron oxide nanoparticles. The synthesis route is via coprecipitation route. I read some publications that Fe3O4 nanoparticles tend to agglomerate and can be stabilized by TMAOH. Can I use Tetrahexylammonium hydroxide instead?
Bunch of thoughts in no particular order:
The only dispersing agent is energy. 'Tend to agglomerate' is an understatement. Fe3O4 is magnetic and these long distance forces overcome any possible short range charge repulsion forces. The only real way to stabilize such systems is sterically with a low MW polymer. For any ionic stabilizer there is an optimum concentration - too much is as bad as too little. The hexylammonium salt is larger than TMAOH and (in theory) should be a better stabilizer. Look for monolayer coverage. See (and references therein):
Nov 11th, 2008. Dispersion and nanotechnology http://tinyurl.com/hpywsge
Thank you Dr. Alan F Rawle for your answer. I will try tetrahexylammonium hydroxide in the lab with different concentrations.
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