synthesis-of-bimetallic-ptsn-based-nanoparticles-in-ionic-liquids

Synthesis of Bimetallic Pt/Sn-based Nanoparticles in Ionic Liquids

We demonstrate a method for the synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles consisting of Pt and Sn. A synthesis strategy is used in which the particular ...

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg

The aim of this article is to provide an overview of current research activities on functional, magnetic nanocomposite materials. After a brief introduction to general strategies for the synthesis of superparamagnetic nanoparticles (NPs), different concepts and state-of-the-art solution chemical methods for their integration into various types of functional, magnetic nanocomposite materials will be reviewed. The focus is on functional materials which are based on discrete magnetic NPs, including multicomponent nanostructures, colloidal nanocrystals, matrix-dispersed composite materials and mesoscaled particles. The review further outlines the magnetic, structural, and surface properties of the materials with regard to application.

Preparation of functional magnetic nanocomposites and hybrid materials: recent progress and future directions.

Magnetic nanocomposites are multi-component materials, typically containing nanosized magnetic materials to trigger the response to an external stimulus (i.e., an external static or alternating magnetic field). Up to now, the search for novel nanocomposites has lead to the combination of a plethora of different materials (e.g., gels, liquid crystals, renewable polymers, silica, carbon or metal organic frameworks) with various types of magnetic particles, offering exciting perspectives not only for fundamental investigations but also for application in various fields, including medical therapy and diagnosis, separations, actuation, or catalysis. In this review, we have selected a few of the most recent examples to highlight general concepts and advances in the preparation of magnetic nanocomposites and recent advances in the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles.

Magnetic nanocomposites.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) functionalized with (pro-)mesogenic ligands are implemented into a nematic liquid crystal (LC) and studied regarding both colloidal stability and magneto-optical behavior. In this study, the particle surface is specifically engineered to tune the MNP interactions with the LC host. For this purpose, four types of (pro-)mesogenic ligands (ML) are synthesized, which are composed of three structural parts, i.e., a rigid, LC motif (i.e., cyanobiphenyl) and a functional group for nanoparticle binding, both linked via a flexible spacer of different alkyl chain lengths. Electrostatically stabilized CoFeO and γ-FeO nanoparticles with narrow size distribution and sizes below 3 nm are obtained via co-precipitation and subsequently functionalized to yield MNP@ML nanoparticles. Studies on the behaviour of the MNP@ML nanoparticles in the commercial LC host (i.e., 4-pentyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl (5CB)) in the bulk and in thin films in LC test cells, reveal the initial formation of some heterogeneities after transition from the isotropic to the nematic phase. Homogenous MNP@ML-5CB hybrids with long-term, colloidal stability, however, are obtained after magnetic separation of initially formed particle aggregates. In particular, MLs with carboxy groups and high structural flexibility (i.e., long linker lengths) are shown to be well suited to form stable MNP colloids, allowing for high MNP doping levels. As compared to undoped 5CB, the CoFeO@MLx-5CB hybrids show an increased sensitivity to the magnetic field, affecting the Fréedericksz transition. The strongest effect, however, is observed in magnetic and electric fields. The coupling of the ultrasmall, spherical MNPs with the LC director in the magnetic field suggests the formation of LC-induced, anisometric MNP clusters.

Silke Behrens

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Synthesis of Bimetallic Pt/Sn-based Nanoparticles in Ionic Liquids