Synthesis and Characterization of Fucan-Coated Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles

This work presents some results of the synthesis and structural, microstructural, and magnetic characterization of fucan coated cobalt ferrite nanoparticles prepared by using a modified coprecipitation method. Aqueous suspensions of magnetic particles were prepared by coprecipitation of Fe(III) and Co(II) in the presence of NaOH, acid oleic and fucan polymer. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron scanning microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), accelerated surface area, and porosimetry (ASAP/BET-Brunauer-Emmet-Teller) determination and magnetization measurements. Our results reveal that both uncoated and fucan polysaccharide coated CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were successfully obtained. The nanoparticles present sizes between 7 to 20 nm and saturation magnetization of the order of 40 emu/g. The nanoparticles thus obtained are suitable for future applications as a solid support for enzymes immobilization and other biotechnology applications.