Green synthesis of magnetic chitosan nanocomposites by a new sol-gel auto-combustion method

The Fe2O3/CuFe2O4/chitosan nanocomposites have been successfully synthesized via a new sol-gel auto combustion route. To prepare the nanocomposites, copper ferrite (CuFe2O4) and iron (II) oxide (Fe2O3) nanostructures were first prepared utilizing onion as a green reductant for the first time, and characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, IR and VSM. Then chitosan was added into the nanostructures dispersed in water. Chitosan was used to functionalize and modify the nanostructures and also to improve surface properties. The nanocomposites were also characterized by several techniques including SEM, TEM, XRD, IR and VSM. The effects of amount of onion and chitosan on the morphology and particle size of nanocomposites were evaluated. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.