Abstract
Iron oxides are chemical compounds which have different polymorphic forms, including γ-Fe2O3 (maghemite), Fe3O4 (magnetite), and FeO (wustite). Among them, the most studied are γ-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4, as they possess extraordinary properties at the nanoscale (such as super paramagnetism, high specific surface area, biocompatible etc.), because at this size scale, the quantum effects affect matter behavior and optical, electrical and magnetic properties. Therefore, in the nanoscale, these materials become ideal for surface functionalization and modification in various applications such as separation techniques, magnetic sorting (cells and other biomolecules etc.), drug delivery, cancer hyperthermia, sensing etc., and also for increased surface area-to-volume ratio, which allows for excellent dispersibility in the solution form. The current methods used are partially and passively mixed reactants, and, thus, every reaction has a different proportion of all factors which causes further difficulties in reproducibility. Direct active and complete mixing and automated approaches could be solutions to this size- and shape-controlled synthesis, playing a key role in its exploitation for scientific or technological purposes. An ideal synthesis method should be able to allow reliable adjustment of parameters and control over the following: fluctuation in temperature; pH, stirring rate; particle distribution; size control; concentration; and control over nanoparticle shape and composition i.e., crystallinity, purity, and rapid screening. Iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP)-based available clinical applications are RNA/DNA extraction and detection of infectious bacteria and viruses. Such technologies are important at POC (point of care) diagnosis. IONPs can play a key role in these perspectives. Although there are various methods for synthesis of IONPs, one of the most crucial goals is to control size and properties with high reproducibility to accomplish successful applications. Using multiple characterization techniques to identify and confirm the oxide phase of iron can provide better characterization capability. It is very important to understand the in-depth IONP formation mechanism, enabling better control over parameters and overall reaction and, by extension, properties of IONPs. This work provides an in-depth overview of different properties, synthesis methods, and mechanisms of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) formation, and the diverse range of their applications. Different characterization factors and strategies to confirm phase purity in the IONP synthesis field are reviewed. First, properties of IONPs and various synthesis routes with their merits and demerits are described. We also describe different synthesis strategies and formation mechanisms for IONPs such as for: wustite (FeO), hematite (α-Fe2O3), maghemite (ɤ-Fe2O3) and magnetite (Fe3O4). We also describe characterization of these nanoparticles and various applications in detail. In conclusion, we present a detailed overview on the properties, size-controlled synthesis, formation mechanisms and applications of IONPs.
Highlights
Iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP)-based technologies are catalyzing rapid developments in nanotechnology
This is a much clearer mechanism of Fe3 O4 formation in which water acts as source of Oxygen in magnetite and Ascorbic Acid acts as reducing agent and, a potential method for commercial scale, enabling reproducible size-controlled synthesis of IONPs
As below-30 nm IONPs are super-paramagnetic in nature and ideal for biomedical application, and because super-paramagnetic IONPs can be manipulated by external magnetic fields, with all these properties, the biomedical application of IONPs, such as in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), drug delivery and hyperthermia, is possible [121]
Summary
Iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP)-based technologies are catalyzing rapid developments in nanotechnology. Reproducible synthesis of IONPs with desired properties is still a problem [22] This is because existing synthesis methods show a passive approach towards synthesis reaction. A synthetic route should enable control over reaction parameters: temperature; concentration; fluctuation in temperature; pH; stirring rate; particle distribution; size control; control over shape; nanoparticle composition and structure, which includes crystallinity, purity, rapid screening, and reliable adjustment of parameters [22,25,26,27]. The established synthetic routes of iron oxide nanoparticles have difficulty in controlling the particle size, shape, and properties. It is necessary to develop a new synthetic route for IONPs that yields nanoparticles in a reproducible manner with excellent size control. Selectivity and precision for nanoparticle formation, cost effective, eco friendly
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