Manifestation of dipole-induced disorder in self-assembly of ferroelectric and ferromagnetic nanocubes

The authors thank Marjeta Maˇcek Kržmanc for many useful discussions. The financial support of M-ERA.NET Project Har-vEnPiez (Innovative nano-materials and architectures for integrated piezoelectric energy harvesting applications) is gratefully acknowledged. D.Z. acknowledges the support of the postdoctoral research program at the University of Latvia (Project No. 1.1.1.2/VIAA/1/16/072). The computing time of the LASC cluster was provided by the Institute of Solid State Physics (ISSP).

Model colloids to study surface – ligand interactions in nanosized Fe3O4

Using electrodispersion of metallic iron in an aqueous environment without additional reagents we create a chemically clean model system based on nanosized synthetic magnetite where the details of magnetic metal oxide – surfactant chemisorption can be studied by high fidelity magnetometry with nanometric precision. A comparative analysis of model colloidal solutions based on oleic acid and iron Fe2+ oleate indicates a significant influence of the mode of surfactant adsorption on the magnetic diameter of the particles.

Synthesis, physico-chemical and biological study of trialkylsiloxyalkyl amine coated iron oxide/oleic acid magnetic nanoparticles for the treatment of cancer

New original water-soluble magnetic nanoparticles based on natural components, magnetite–oleic acid–biologically active silyl modified alkanolamine, were synthesized. Physico-chemical characterization, i.e. magnetic properties, concentration of magnetite, size of iron oxide core, of the nanoparticles synthesized and the corresponding magnetic fluids obtained, was carried out. Magnetic fluids were screened for in vitro cytotoxicity concerning human fibrosarcoma (HT-1080), mouse hepatoma (MG-22A) monolayer tumour cell lines and normal mouse fibroblasts (NIH 3T3). They possess low or moderate cytotoxic effects, are non-toxic, exhibit high NO-induction ability and strongly change tumour cell mo…

Iron oxide/oleic acid magnetic nanoparticles possessing biologically active choline derivatives

Abstract In recent years, synthetic magnetic nanoparticles have made a major contribution to biomedicine. Interest in iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles conditioned by the fact that they are nontoxic, and possess the unique opportunity to deliver medicines to certain organs by external magnetic field. We have developed a synthetic procedure, which is based on binding of the first biologically active substance with the magnetic core, and subsequent immobilization of another biologically active substance (ligand) on the modified surface of nanoparticles thus creating plasma membrane-like structures. Using the proposed methodology, we have obtained new nontoxic magnetic nanoparticles, functiona…

Phase Composition and Morphology of Tungsten Oxide Nanoparticles Produced via a Pyrolytic Process

The chemical synthesis is a leading route for the purposeful design of nanomaterials, whereas the tungsten oxides are employed in a variety of special applications. The production of nanomaterials by traditional synthetic methods is still a cumbersome multistep procedure. Here we propose an improved method to produce tungsten oxide nanoparticles via a pyrolytic process. A tungsten-containing precursor was prepared by liquid extraction using n-trioctylamine (C8H17)3N solution in toluene. We have shown that the conditions of thermal treatment of the W-based precursor determine the crystalline structure and nanomorphology of the final product. Monoclinic WO3 nanocrystallites are produced condu…

Preparation and cytotoxic properties of goethite-based nanoparticles covered with decyldimethyl(dimethylaminoethoxy) silane methiodide

The present work describes the synthesis, physico-chemical and biological properties of the first water-soluble goethite nanoparticles covered with biologically active components: oleic acid and cytotoxic decyldimethyl(dimethylaminoethoxy)silane methiodide. The structure of initial goethite nanoparticles synthesized was proved by XRD analysis and the rough estimation of nanoparticles core size gave the value of 8 nm. The size of colloidal water-soluble nanoparticles, determined by dynamic light scattering, was within 19–35 nm. Magnetic properties and cytotoxicity (against HT-1080 and MG-22A tumor cell lines) of the nanoparticles obtained were investigated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons…

Iron oxide superparamagnetic nanocarriers bearing amphiphilic N-heterocyclic choline analogues as potential antimicrobial agents

Magnetic nanoparticles represent an advanced tool in biomedicine because they can be simultaneously functionalized and guided using a magnetic field. Iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles precoated with oleic acid and bearing novel antimicrobial N-heterocyclic choline analogues, namely O-, N- and O,N-bis-undecyl-substituted N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinium derivatives, have been obtained as potential biomedical agents for drug delivery and antimicrobial therapy. Structural and size determinations for the novel synthesized magnetic nanosystems were carried out based upon magnetogranulometry, dynamic light-scattering measurements and X-ray diffraction analysis. The most expecte…

Formation of magnetoconvection by photoabsorptive methods in ferrofluid layers

Abstract A periodic concentration grating was induced in a layer of ferrofluid by photoabsorption and thermophoresis under the action of the applied uniform magnetic field. The application of the external field causes the appearance of an internal demagnetizing field within the layer and of magnetic forces due to the non-uniform distribution of concentration. The induced magnetic forces cause the appearance of parasitic microconvection within the layer. The experimental observations of the formation stage of the grating are interpreted to explain magnetoconvection, making use of numerical simulations.

Self-assembly and rheology of dipolar colloids in simple shear - studied by multi-particle collision dynamics

Magnetic nanoparticles in a colloidal solution self-assemble in various aligned structures, which has a profound influence on the flow behavior. However, the precise role of the microstructure in the development of the rheological response has not been reliably quantified. We investigate the self-assembly of dipolar colloids in simple shear using hybrid molecular dynamics and multi-particle collision dynamics simulations with explicit coarse-grained hydrodynamics; conduct simulated rheometric studies and apply micromechanical models to produce master curves, showing evidence of the universality of the structural behavior governed by the competition of the bonding (dipolar) and erosive (ther…

Role of Intrinsic Dipoles in the Evaporation‐Driven Assembly of Perovskite Nanocubes into Energy‐Harvesting Composites

Optofluidic microconvection with magnetic nanoparticles: Novel interaction of thermal diffusion and magnetic field

Abstract Light-matter interactions are exploited in many applications, whereas superparamagnetic nanoparticles allow to introduce magnetic field control in diverse fluid environments. We study the structure of laser-induced thermal lens in thin layers of ferromagnetic colloid and predict significant magnetoconvective motion around the beam spot. It was found that localized heating depletes/accumulates magnetic nanoparticles in the beam-spot by thermal diffusion and collective magnetic interactions of nanoparticles produce strong microconvective currents. This mode of mass transport can be controlled by magnetic field. We expect the novel magnetosolutal microconvective coupling, which we des…

Magnetic field control of gas-liquid mass transfer in ferrofluids

Abstract Gas-liquid mass transfer plays a key role in a broad range of industrial processes. The magnetic field control over the morphology of the gas-liquid interface and solute transport is an attractive feature if it can be realized efficiently. However, the magnetic properties of typical liquids and gases are rather weak. The experimental investigation is carried out to evaluate the effect of the magnetic field, which is mediated by magnetic nanoparticles, on the gas-liquid mass exchange during the sparging run through a hydrocarbon ferrofluid. The results indicate that the gradient field is especially effective at controlling the gas-liquid contact volume: the foaming of the liquid dur…

Features of magnetorheology of biocompatible chain-forming ferrofluids with multi-core magnetic nanoparticles: Experiment and simulation

Abstract We study the magnetorheological properties and structural transitions in novel aqueous colloidal suspensions of magnetic nanoparticles developed for biomedical applications. Defined-shape field-tunable superparamagnetic nanoparticles with clustered cores and their suspensions are produced. The region of intermediate magnetic coupling strength between colloidal ferrofluids and magnetorheological suspensions is systematically studied for the first time. Hybrid numerical simulations with hydrodynamic interactions provide full structural information. The distinctive features of the rheograms are related to transitions between Brownian and persistent microstructure, shape anisotropy, co…

Field effect in the viscosity of magnetic colloids studied by multi-particle collision dynamics

Abstract Colloidal solutions of magnetic nanoparticles are usually employed when the fluidity and magnetic properties are required at the same time, either in technical or biomedical applications. However, when the magnetic size of the nanoparticles is large enough (>12–15 nm) the colloid may form an equilibrium structure with or without the external magnetic field, which can significantly influence its rheology. Using multi-particle collision dynamics we study the internal structure and viscosity of the magnetic colloids at varying magnitudes of the externally applied field. We show a generalized structural behavior across all studied regimes and an appreciable increase of flow resistance …

Role of precursor composition in the polymorph transformations, morphology control and ferromagnetic properties of nanosized TiO$_2$

Pure phase and mixed phase TiO$_2$ nanoparticles have been produced using a pyrolytic method from a non-aqueous carboxylate precursor. The precursor was prepared by a multiphase cation exchange using pentanoic acid (C$_4$H$_9$COOH). The thermal stability, polymorph content, morphology, size distribution and surface region of the produced nanoparticles were studied by TGA/DSC, XRD, FTIR and TEM. High quality monodisperse nanoparticles have been produced in the size range from 7 to 27 nm. The nanoparticles showed room temperature ferromagnetism revealed by VSM within bound polaron model. The carboxylate precursor is a good alternative to standard sol-gel to produce nanoparticles free from imp…

Relating magnetization, structure and rheology in ferrofluids with multi-core magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract Due to their magnetic moments solubilized magnetic nanoparticles are able to spontaneously assemble into dipolar mesostructures, which affect the flow behavior. Multi-core magnetic nanoparticles developed for biomedical applications have enhanced magnetic properties and show significant magnetoviscous effect, but the quantitative interpretation of this phenomenon is incomplete. We apply rheological measurements, magnetic granulometry and dimensional scaling to show the existence of a master curve for magnetorheology of these materials. Using the developed approach the magnetoviscous effect can now be interpreted in a unified way within the stochastic chain model.

Water-soluble magnetic nanoparticles with biologically active stabilizers

We present the results of the interaction of iron oxide nanoparticles with some biologically active surfactants, namely, oleic acid and cytotoxic alkanolamine derivatives. Physico-chemical properties, as magnetization, magnetite concentration and particle diameter, of the prepared magnetic samples were studied. The nanoparticle size of 11 nm for toluene magnetic fluid determined by TEM is in good agreement with the data obtained by the method of magnetogranulometry. In vitro cytotoxic effect of water-soluble nanoparticles with different iron oxide:oleic acid molar ratio were revealed against human fibrosarcoma and mouse hepatoma cells. In vivo results using a sarcoma mouse model showed obse…

Self-assembly and rheology of dipolar colloids in simple shear studied using multi-particle collision dynamics.

Magnetic nanoparticles in a colloidal solution self-assemble in various aligned structures, which has a profound influence on the flow behavior. However, the precise role of the microstructure in the development of the rheological response has not been reliably quantified. We investigate the self-assembly of dipolar colloids in simple shear using hybrid molecular dynamics and multi-particle collision dynamics simulations with explicit coarse-grained hydrodynamics, conduct simulated rheometric studies and apply micromechanical models to produce master curves, showing evidence of the universality of the structural behavior governed by the competition between the bonding (dipolar) and erosive …

Synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles with an iron oxide magnetic core and a biologically active trialkylsilylated aliphatic alkanolamine shell

Water-soluble double-coated magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) containing cytotoxic decyldimethyl(β-dimethylaminoethoxy)silane methiodide (AA) molecule sorbed at biocompatible magnetic particles, which consist of magnetite pre-coated with oleic acid (OA), have been prepared. X-ray line profile broadening analysis was used for crystallite size determination. The method of magnetogranulometry has been used for determination of diameter of iron oxide magnetic core and magnetic properties of NPs prepared. In vitro cytotoxicity on monolayer tumor cell lines HT-1080 (human fibrosarcoma), MG-22A (mouse hepatoma) and normal mouse fibroblasts (NIH 3T3) has been studied. It was revealed that all the water-…