One-step continuous flow synthesis of aminopropyl silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles

Abstract

One-step continuous flow synthesis was developed and applied for the preparation of amino propyl silica-coated nanoparticles (APSMNPs). This was accomplished in one step through continuous flow synthesis and amino propyl silica coating. Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) are generated in situ using a continuous flow synthesis system before being coated with amino propyl silica using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) condensation process and 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) condensation process in different ratios. The effect of the molar ratio of TEOS to APTES on the structure and physicochemical properties of the corresponding APSMNPs was examined by N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm, transmission electron microscope (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscope energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX). This continuous flow process has advantages such as easy scalability, convenient production, easy control, an economical method with less time and reagents than traditional synthetic methods. It is a good choice for industrial production of APSMNPs.