Magnetic nanocomposite spinel and FeCo core-shell and mesoporous systems

The fabrication of condensed silica and mesoporous silica coated spinel CoFe2O4 and FeCo alloy magnetic nanocomposites are reported. The encapsulation of well-defined 5 nm thick uniform silica layer on CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles was performed. The formation of mesopores in the shell was a consequence of removal of organic group of the precursor through annealing. The NiO nanoparticles were loaded into the mesoporous silica. The mesoporous silica shells leads to a larger coercivity than that of pure CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles due to the decrease of interparticle interactions and magneto-elastic anisotropy. In addition, the FeCo nanoparticles were coated by condensed and mesoporous silica. The condensed silica can protect the reactive FeCo alloy from oxidation up to 300 °C. However, saturation magnetization of FeCo nanoparticles coated by silica after 400 °C annealing is dramatically decreased due to the oxidation of the FeCo core. The mesoporous silica coated magnetic nanostructure loaded with NiO as a final product could be used in the field of biomedical applications.

► We fabricated condensed and mesoporous silica coated magnetic nanocomposites.
► NiO nanoparticles were loaded into the mesoporous silica.
► Mesoporous silica shells leads to a larger coercivity.
► Silica-coated FeCo nanoparticles oxidize beyond 300 °C.