Abstract
Synthesis and characterization of hybrid fluorescent superparamagnetic core-shell particles of Fe@C-CNx composition are presented for the first time. The prepared Fe@C-CNx hybrid nanoparticles were found to possess multifunctionality by exhibiting strong superparamagnetic properties and bright fluorescence emissions at 500 nm after the excitation with light in the UV-visible range. Fe@C-CNx also exhibits photocatalytic activities for organic dye degradation comparable to pure amorphous CNx with reusability through magnetic separation. The combination of magnetic and fluorescent properties of core-shell Fe@C-CNx nanoparticles opens opportunities for their application as sensors and magnet manipulated reusable photocatalysts. Superparamagnetic Fe@C core-shell nanoparticles were used as the template material in the synthesis, where the carbon shell was functionalized through one-step free-radical addition of alkyl groups terminated with carboxylic acid moieties. The method utilizes the organic acyl peroxide of dicarboxylic acid (succinic acid peroxide) as a non-oxidant functional free radical precursor for functionalization. Further, covalently functionalized succinyl-Fe@C core-shell nanoparticles were coated with the amorphous carbon nitride (CNx) generated by an in-situ solution-based chemical reaction of cyanuric chloride with lithium nitride. A detailed physicochemical characterization of the microstructure, magnetic and fluorescence properties of the synthesized hybrid nanoparticles is provided.
Highlights
Superparamagnetic Fe@C core-shell nanoparticles were used as the template material in the synthesis, where the carbon shell was functionalized through one-step free-radical addition of alkyl groups terminated with carboxylic acid moieties
Scheme 2 represents the overall process of synthesis of Fe@C-CNx core-shell nanoparticles
CNx, of spherical morphology, prepared through chemical reaction of cyanuric chloride with lithium nitride in diglyme medium, exhibits higher quantum efficiency of the fluorescence than graphitic CNx synthesized by high temperature (460 ̊C - 650 ̊C) reactions [19]
Summary
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) in the form of magnetite (Fe3O4) and maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) have been commonly used for this purpose [4] [5]. Magnetic properties of these materials are strongly influenced by colloidal dispersion and particle size. In order to stabilize these particles in colloidal systems, a suitable polymer attachment/loading or chemical treatment has been implemented. SPIONs are susceptible to the change in pH and ion concentration in biological fluids
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