Novel Fe@C–TiO2 and Fe@C–SiO2 water-dispersible magnetic nanocomposites

We report the synthesis of novel nanocomposites based on Fe@C nanoparticles obtained from Fe(CO)5 and C2H4/H2 by laser pyrolysis technique using a three nozzles injector. The αFe–FexCy@C particles (below 24 nm diameter) were first functionalized with hydrophilic groups using Na carboxymethylcellulose. Oxidic precursors (Si(OC2H5)4 or Ti(OC2H5)4) dissolved in ethanol were mixed with ethanolic suspensions of hydrophilized Fe@C nanoparticles using strong ultrasonication, then with water (at different pH values) and finally the Fe-containing composites were recovered by magnetic separation. The SiO2 and TiO2-coated powders were characterized by XRD, FT-IR and TEM techniques and their magnetic hysteresis curves were recorded at different temperatures. Both composites contain submicron aggregates of Fe@C nanoparticles embedded in/surrounded by a disordered porous oxidic matrix/shell. Near superparamagnetic behavior and room temperature and 26 A m2/kg (for Fe@C/SiO2) or 57 A m2/kg (for Fe@C/TiO2) saturation magnetization values were recorded and a blocking temperature around 500 K was extrapolated.