A novel magneto-fluorescent microsphere: Preparation and characterization of polystyrene-supported Fe3O4 and CdS nanoparticles

Novel sulfonated polystyrene microsphere containing Fe3O4 and CdS nanoparticles have been prepared and characterized. A thorough structural characterization has been carried out by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, VSM data, EDS, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The presence of the magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) and CdS nanoparticles on the polystyrene microspheres has been demonstrated. Cadmium diethyl dithiophosphate (CDDP) has been used as a 3 in 1 precursor (cadmium, sulfur, and ligand source) for the synthesis of high-quality CdS nanoparticles on polystyrene microsphere containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles. This novel composite exhibits both fluorescence and magnetism properties that may be used in a novel bioprobe.