Synthesis and characterization of magnetic nanoparticles of type Fe3O4 / TiO2, effect of pH on dispersion and stabilization in aqueous solutions

Magnetic nanoparticles of Fe3O4/TiO2 (core/shell) type were synthesized by a method combining chemical co-precipitation for the initial synthesis of Fe3O4 and sol-gel synthesis for the making of the TiO2 shell film. The magnetic nanoparticles were characterized before and after the coating process by X-ray, field emission scanning electron microscope and scanning electron microscope with X-ray microanalysis. The structural refinement analysis by the Rietveld method was performed through the FullProf program from X-ray powder diffraction, which confirmed the presence of Fe3O4 as iron oxide and the anastase phase of TiO2 as shell layer. The crystal size was calculated by Scherer’s equation and around 10nm for both the Fe3O4 core and TiO2 shell. According the field emission scanning electron microscope, the coated magnetic nanoparticles are spherical and they are highly agglomerated. The exclusive presence of Fe, Ti and O was confirmed by scanning electron microscope with X-ray microanalysis. Finally, the dispersion of aqueous Fe3O4/TiO2 nanoparticles was evaluated at different pH values by ultraviolet spectroscopy in the ultraviolet and visible range. The highest values of absorbance were obtained at pH 8 and 4,5; showing good dispersion. On the other hand, at pH 6,5 there is tendency to agglomerate with subsequent precipitation.