Laser Vaporization of Magnetic Fe_xO_y and Fe_xO_y-SiO₂ Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

Abstract:

Magnetic iron oxide (Fe_xO_y) and iron oxide/silica (Fe_xO_y/SiO₂) composite nanoparticles were synthesized by CO₂ laser vaporization (LAVA) of an α-Fe₂O₃ raw powder and α-Fe₂O₃/quartz sand mixtures, respectively. Particle morphology, composition and iron oxide phase formation were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The resulting nanopowders mainly consisted of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃). Increasing the oxygen partial pressure in the LAVA process gas an additional iron oxide phase, ε-Fe₂O₃, occurred. The saturation magnetization of the iron oxide nanoparticles was determined with vibrating sample magnetometry and was found to decrease with increasing oxygen partial pressure in the process gas. Fe_xO_y/SiO₂ composite nanoparticles are of particular interest for biomedical applications because their silica surface can be functionalized very easily.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volumes 529-530)
• Pages: 605-608
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.529-530.605
• Online since: November 2012
• Authors: Christian Stötzel, Heinz Dieter Kurland, Janet Grabow, Frank A. Müller
• Keywords: Iron Oxide, Laser Vaporization, Maghemite, Magnetic Nanoparticles, Magnetite, Silica

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