Issue 4, 2018

Probing the variability in oxidation states of magnetite nanoparticles by single-particle spectroscopy

Abstract

We have studied the electronic and chemical properties of a variety of ensembles of size- and shape-selected Fe3O4 nanoparticles with single-particle sensitivity by means of synchrotron-based X-ray photoemission electron microscopy. The local X-ray absorption spectra reveal that the oxidation states and the amount and type of cations within the individual nanoparticles can show a striking local variability even when the average structural and magnetic parameters of the monodisperse ensembles appear to be compatible with those of conventional homogeneous magnetite nanoparticles. Our results show the key role played by oleic acid concentration in the reaction mixture on the formation and compositional homogeneity within individual nanoparticles. When the concentration of oleic acid is high enough, the nanoparticles are composed of a Fe3O4 core surrounded by a thin γ-Fe2O3 shell. However, at a low concentration of the fatty acid, the Fe3O4 nanoparticles are likely inhomogeneous with small inclusions of FeO and Fe phases, as a result of an uncontrolled reduction of Fe3+ cations. All the foregoing underlines the importance of combining both advanced synthesis techniques and complementary single-particle investigations performed on a statistically significant number of particles so as to improve the understanding and control over electronic and magnetic phenomena at the nanoscale.

Graphical abstract: Probing the variability in oxidation states of magnetite nanoparticles by single-particle spectroscopy

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
06 Jul 2017
Accepted
08 Dec 2017
First published
10 Jan 2018
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2018,6, 875-882

Probing the variability in oxidation states of magnetite nanoparticles by single-particle spectroscopy

A. Fraile Rodríguez, C. Moya, M. Escoda-Torroella, A. Romero, A. Labarta and X. Batlle, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2018, 6, 875 DOI: 10.1039/C7TC03010J

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