I have been using the method published by Sun and Zeng in 2004
Article Monodisperse MFe2O4 (M = Fe, Co, Mn) nanoparticles
I was able to synthesise the seeds, but in the subsequent step (seeds+precursor), I had no particles after reflux, or at least no magnetic material (I have yet to do DLS/TEM). For the record, I flushed the system with argon and evacuated (x3), prior to raising the temperature. Maybe it needs some oxygen in there??
Kevin Behan
For the synthesis of ferrite nanoparticles, argon is not necessary. They are resistant to oxidation. I recommend another article on this topic.
Article Magnetic properties of nickel ferrite nanoparticles prepared...
Dear Yuri, thank you for the response. I had always assumed that the iron oxide was formed from the precursor directly, but I think an external source of oxygen is necessary. In a previous lab we bubbled nitrogen through the solution, prior to ramping temperature - it was our method to flush out air/moisture. Probably not enough to flush out all of the dissolved oxygen, and now I suspect this was instrumental in us getting magnetic NPs (for all 5 steps). When I next get time in the lab (Sars-Cov-2 permitting!), I will only use argon as a blanket for the refluxing step.
I agree with the above answer. The preparation of ferrite nanoparticles doesn't require argon or nitrogen gasses.
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