Factors Influence the Structural and Magnetic Properties of Ag-Fe₃O₄ Nanocomposites Synthesized by Reduction Method

Silver nanoparticles integrated with a magnetic matrix such as Fe₃O₄ to form Ag-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites show some advantages in their applications as an antibacterial agent and heterogeneous catalyst. This material can be synthesized by a combination of electrochemical and reduction methods supported by ultrasonic route. The purposes of this study are to synthesize the nanocomposites by reduction method and to study the effect of synthesis parameters on the structural and magnetic properties of the generated nanocomposites. This research consisted of three main stages. The first step was the electrochemical synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles using electro-oxidation of iron in water. Second, adsorption of Ag⁺ on the surface of Fe₃O₄ carried out by sonication of a mixture of AgNO₃ solution and powder of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The third stage was the reduction of Ag⁺ to Ag⁰ with glucose as reductant and NaOH as an accelerator, where it was conducted under a variation of AgNO₃ mole ratios to glucose and NaOH concentration. The characterizations of Ag-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites were performed using XRD and VSM. The results of the characterizations showed that Ag-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites have been successfully synthesized. There was an optimum concentration of NaOH at pH (11) and mole ratio of AgNO₃ to glucose (1 : 8) in the synthesis process producing the composite with the highest crystallinity. (paper)