Nina Matoussevitch

A size-selective synthesis of air stable colloidal magnetic cobalt nanoparticles

A novel, size-selective preparation route leads to air stable ‘monodisperse’ colloidal cobalt nanoparticles via the thermolysis of Co2(CO)8 in the presence of aluminum alkyls. X-ray absorption near edge structure measurements have proved that this preparation pathway provides long term stable zerovalent magnetic Cobalt particles. In addition, these measurements show that the chemical nature of the surfactant used exerts a significant influence on the stability and the local electronic and geometric structure of the analyzed nanoparticles.

Surface engineering of Co and FeCo nanoparticles for biomedical application

Monodisperse Co, Fe, and FeCo nanoparticles are prepared via thermal decomposition of metal carbonyls in the presence of aluminium alkyls, yielding air-stable magnetic metal nanoparticles after surface passivation. The particles are characterized by electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, ESI), electron spectroscopy (MIES, UPS, and XPS) and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS). The particles are peptized by surfactants to form stable magnetic fluids in various organic media and water, exhibiting a high volume concentration and a high saturation magnetization. In view of potential biomedical applications of the particles, several procedures for surface modification are presented, including peptization by functional organic molecules, silanization, and in situ polymerization.

Air-stable Co-, Fe-, and Fe/Co-nanoparticles and ferrofluids

Summary Air-stable Co, Fe, and Fe/Co nanoparticles are accessible by thermolysis of the metal carbonyl precursors in the presence of aluminium alkyls and subsequent “smooth oxidation”. The structure of the particles was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM, HRTEM), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, UPS), metastable impact electron spectroscopy (MIES), and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The peptization of the nanoparticles with suitable surfactants (oleic and lauric acid, sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate (AOT), LP-4 (a fatty acid condensation polymer), and KorantinSH (N-oleyl sarcosine)) yields magnetic fluids dispersed in carrier liquids such as toluene, kerosene, vacuum and mineral oils which are remarkably stable in air under ambient conditions. The resulting magnetic fluids show good magnetic properties. Several methods for the preparation of water-based MF are presented, e.g., formation of surfactant bilayers, using phase transfer agents, or surface modification with L-cysteine ethyl ester. Water-based metallic magnetic fluids have a high potential for a number of technical and biomedical applications. Technical applications of the Co-based ferrofluids in the field of positioning systems and magnetohydrostatic bearings were investigated. The results emphasize the scope of nanoparticulate ferrofluids having a metallic core.