In situ surface treatment of nanocrystalline MFe2O4 (MÂ =Â Co, Mg, Mn, Ni) spinel ferrites using linseed oil

The surface of magnetic nanoferrite MFe2O4 (M = Mg, Mn, Co, Ni) are functionalized with free linolenic acid molecules and after calcination treatment the surface become highly hydroxyl-carboxyl activated to greatly enhance its dispersion in organic solvents (Scheme 1). The inset shows the dispersion of CoFe2O4 dispersion in toluene before (left) and after (right) magnetic separation.