One-pot low temperature synthesis of MFe2O4 (M=Co, Ni, Zn) superparamagnetic nanocrystals

Magnetic MFe2O4 (M=Co, Ni, Zn) nanocrystals with a diameter about 30 nm and a nearly spherical shape were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal approach. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy have been used to investigate the as-prepared magnetic MFe2O4 (M=Co, Ni, Zn) nanocrystals. Magnetic properties of the as-prepared samples have been detected by a vibrating sample magnetometer at room temperature and the results show that the as-prepared magnetic MFe2O4 nanocrystals are a type characteristic of superparamagnetic materials. These superparamagnetic nanocrystals are believed to be promising for wide engineering applications, such as drug delivery, bioseparation, and magnetic resonance imaging.