Incorporation of nano-sized magnetite particles into mesoporous materials via -COOH groups

Nano-sized magnetite (NSM) particles incorporated into mesoporous silica were synthesized by surface-functionalized mesoporous materials. Mesocellular foam functionalized by carboxylic groups (CA-MCF) was prepared using a grafting method with 4-(triethoxysilyl) butyronitrile as an organosilane agent. After treating the sample with sulfuric acid, which hydrolyzes the -CN to -COOH groups, the functionalized surface of the mesoporous silica was confirmed by infrared radiation (IR) spectroscopy. Nano-sized magnetite particles of ∼7 nm were then incorporated into the silica mesopores. It was expected that the carboxylic groups of the mesoporous materials would bind to the nanoparticles. The prepared particles were characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. The iron content and magnetic properties of the synthesized particles were studied using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and a magnetometer, respectively.