Synthesis, size and magnetic properties of controllable MnFe2O4 nanoparticles with versatile surface functionalities

Size controllable MnFe2O4 superparamagnetic nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by a solvothermal method using low-cost metal oleate as the source. The particle size, chemical composition and magnetic properties were investigated. The MnFe2O4 nanomaterials exhibit high colloidal stabilities and superparamagnetic properties, with an average particle size in the range of 2 to 10 nm by modifying the reaction condition, such as surfactant, reaction temperature and reaction time. By changing Mn2+ to different cations, CoFe2O4, NiFe2O4, and ZnFe2O4 with different magnetic properties could be obtained. The hydrophobic MnFe2O4 NPs could also be modified with many surfactants, such as cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), with the aim of achieving high zeta-potential hydrophilic bilayer-coated MnFe2O4 NPs. In addition, the water soluble MnFe2O4 magnetic NPs can be applied to the removal of Pb(II) from waste water with good recovery under external magnetic field.