Glycidoxypropylsilane-functionalized Magnetite as Precursor for Polymer-covered Core-shell Magnetic Particles

Abstract

Surface-functionalized core-shell magnetic particles were obtained by reacting the hydroxyl groups on the surface of pre-prepared magnetite particles with 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane. Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated that epoxy silane molecules were chemically bound onto the surface of magnetite particles through Fe—O—Si linkages. As proved by atomic force microscopy and environmental scanning microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, particles with average core diameter and shell width of about 700 and 70 nm, respectively, were obtained. The covered magnetite particles showed a lower saturation magnetization (46 emu g 1 ) as compared to the uncoated magnetite (64 emu g 1 ).