Magnetic Characterization by Scanning Microscopy of Functionalized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Frederico V. Gutierrez,
Anna De Falco,
Elder Yokoyama,
Leonardo A. F. Mendoza,
Cleanio Luz-Lima,
Geronimo Perez,
Renan P. Loreto,
Walmir E. Pottker,
Felipe A. La Porta,
Guillermo Solorzano,
Soudabeh Arsalani,
Oswaldo Baffa,
Jefferson F. D. F. Araujo
Affiliations
Frederico V. Gutierrez
Department of Physics, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro—PUC-Rio, Rua Marques de São Vicente, Rio de Janeiro 22451-900, RJ, Brazil
Anna De Falco
Department of Chemistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro—PUC-Rio, Rua Marques de São Vicente, Rio de Janeiro 22451-900, RJ, Brazil
Elder Yokoyama
Institute of Geosciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
Leonardo A. F. Mendoza
Department of Electrical Engineering, State University of Rio de Janeiro—UERJ, Rio de Janeiro 20550-900, RJ, Brazil
Cleanio Luz-Lima
Department of Physics, Federal University of Piauí—UFPI, Teresina 64049-550, PI, Brazil
Geronimo Perez
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidade Federal Fluminense—UFF, Rua Passo da Pátrias, n°156, Niteroi 24210-240, RJ, Brazil
Renan P. Loreto
Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas/MCTI, CBPF, Rio de Janeiro 22290-180, RJ, Brazil
Walmir E. Pottker
Federal Technological University of Paraná, UTFPR, Avenida dos Pioneiros 3131, Londrina 86036-370, PR, Brazil
Felipe A. La Porta
Federal Technological University of Paraná, UTFPR, Avenida dos Pioneiros 3131, Londrina 86036-370, PR, Brazil
Guillermo Solorzano
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro—PUC-Rio, R. Marquês de São Vicente, 225, Gávea, Rio de Janeiro 22430-060, RJ, Brazil
This study aimed to systematically understand the magnetic properties of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles functionalized with different Pluronic F-127 surfactant concentrations (Fe3O4@Pluronic F-127) obtained by using an improved magnetic characterization method based on three-dimensional magnetic maps generated by scanning magnetic microscopy. Additionally, these Fe3O4 and Fe3O4@Pluronic F-127 nanoparticles, as promising systems for biomedical applications, were prepared by a wet chemical reaction. The magnetization curve was obtained through these three-dimensional maps, confirming that both Fe3O4 and Fe3O4@Pluronic F-127 nanoparticles have a superparamagnetic behavior. The as-prepared samples, stored at approximately 20 °C, showed no change in the magnetization curve even months after their generation, resulting in no nanoparticles free from oxidation, as Raman measurements have confirmed. Furthermore, by applying this magnetic technique, it was possible to estimate that the nanoparticles’ magnetic core diameter was about 5 nm. Our results were confirmed by comparison with other techniques, namely as transmission electron microscopy imaging and diffraction together with Raman spectroscopy. Finally, these results, in addition to validating scanning magnetic microscopy, also highlight its potential for a detailed magnetic characterization of nanoparticles.
