Issue 16, 2015

Self-organization of an optomagnetic CoFe2O4–ZnS nanocomposite: preparation and characterization

Abstract

We report an advanced method for the self-organization of an optomagnetic nanocomposite composed of both fluorescent clusters (ZnS quantum dots, QDs) and magnetic nanoparticles (CoFe2O4). ZnS nanocrystals were prepared via an aqueous method at different temperatures (25, 50, 75, and 100 °C). Their structural, optical and chemical properties were comprehensively characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The highest PL intensity was observed for the cubic ZnS nanoparticles synthesized at 75 °C which were then stabilized electrosterically using thioglycolic acid. The photophysical analysis of the capped QDs with a particle size in the range 9–25 nm revealed that the emission intensity and the optical band gap increases compared to uncapped nanocrystals (3.88 to 4.02 eV). These band gaps are wider than that of bulk ZnS resulting from the quantum confinement effect. Magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized via a co-precipitation route and a sol–gel process was used to form the functionalized, silica-coated CoFe2O4. Finally, thiol coordination was used for binding the QDs to the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles. The fluorescence intensity and magnetic properties of the nanocomposites are related to the ratio of ZnS and CoFe2O4. An optomagnetic nanocomposite with small size (12–45 nm), acceptable saturation magnetization (about 6.7 emu g−1), and satisfactory luminescence characteristics was successfully synthesized. These systems are promising candidates for biological and photocatalytic applications.

Graphical abstract: Self-organization of an optomagnetic CoFe2O4–ZnS nanocomposite: preparation and characterization

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
05 Jan 2015
Accepted
05 Mar 2015
First published
05 Mar 2015

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2015,3, 3935-3945

Self-organization of an optomagnetic CoFe2O4–ZnS nanocomposite: preparation and characterization

A. Amiri Zarandi, A. A. Sabbagh Alvani, R. Salimi, H. Sameie, S. Moosakhani, D. Poelman and F. Rosei, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2015, 3, 3935 DOI: 10.1039/C5TC00023H

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