Synthesis of Cobalt Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Synthesis of Cobalt Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Student: Rose DiBella
Department: Pharmaceutical Sciences
Advisor: Sri Sridhar

Abstract

Synthesis of Cobalt Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

My research project involves synthesizing CoFe3O4 nanoparticles in order to analyze their magnetic properties. These nanoparticles are synthesized both via the co-precipitation method and via the high temperature reaction of Co(acac)2 and Fe(acac)3. Cobalt Iron Oxide nanoparticles may provide an alternative for Iron Oxide nanoparticles for use in biomedical applications because of their enhanced magnetic properties.

My project has also evolved into determining how to transfer magnetic nanoparticles synthesized using a hydrophobic method back into aqueous media. Using a hydrophobic method of producing the nanoparticles results in better size control, uniformity, and overall stability. These particles, however, are only soluble in nonpolar solvents, which makes them hard to use for biomedical applications unless they are converted to aqueous media. Therefore, part of my research has involved ligand exchange using a silane (APTES) and also using DMSA in order to replace the hydrophobic molecules on the surface of the nanoparticles with hydrophilic molecules.