Polysorbate Stabilised Fe3O4 and Fe3O4@Au Nanoparticle Synthesis and Characterisation

Polysorbate (tween) stabilised iron oxide and gold coated iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesised using the high-temperature solution phase reaction of iron(III) acetylacetate, Fe(acac)3, with 1,2-hexadecanediol and long chain alcohols. FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of the surfactants on the nanoparticles, while the size and shape of the nanoparticles were determined by TEM. Coating of the nanoparticles was confirmed by UV-vis spectrometry and XRD. Thermal analysis indicated greater stability for the Tween 20 and Tween 60 stabilised Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles, than the nanoparticles without gold.