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.