A convenient two-step bottom-up approach for developing Au/Fe3O4 nanocomposites with useful optical and magnetic properties

Abstract

A convenient two-step bottom-up approach is reported for the preparation of Au/Fe3O4 nanocomposites. The synthesis of Fe3O4 was achieved by co-precipitation method and rapid synthesis procedure was adopted for forming Au nanoparticles. The solutions containing the Fe3O4 and Au nanoparticles were mixed in two different ratios and then solvothermally treated to obtain the Au/Fe3O4 nanocomposites. The structural and optical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction and optical absorption spectroscopic techniques. The field emission scanning electron microscopy pictures illustrate the surface morphology of the as-prepared nanocomposites. The energy dispersive X-ray analysis spectrum was taken to estimate the exact percentage of elemental composition of the nanopowder. The transmission electron microscopy analysis of the nanocomposites confirmed the presence and morphology of the Au and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The Au/Fe3O4 nanocomposites were found to exhibit soft ferromagnetic behavior.