Design and fabrication of hollow, magnetic and fluorescent CdS–magnetite–poly(styrene-co-methyl methacrylate) microspheres

Abstract

Herein, we report a facile method for fabricating multifunctional CdS–magnetite–poly(styrene-co-methyl methacrylate) microspheres (CMPM) which possess simultaneously magnetic, fluorescent and hollow properties under room temperature and at ambient pressure. Based on the synthesized hollow magnetite–poly(styrene-co-methyl methacrylate) microspheres (HMPM), CdS nanoparticles are formed at the surface of HMPM through γ-radiation. The as-obtained HMPM and CMPM were thoroughly characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron diffraction (TEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which showed the formation of HMPM and CMPM. The quantum-confined effect of CMPM is confirmed by the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and photoluminescent (PL) spectra. Magnetic hysteresis loop measurements revealed that CMPM displayed superparamagnetism and still showed strong magnetic induction.