One-pot synthesis and characterization of biopolymer – Iron Oxide nanocomposite

Abstract

The magnetite (Fe₃O₄) – agar nanocomposite was prepared by co-precipitation of Fe (III) and Fe (II) ions for the first time. The obtained samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. FT-IR results confirm the formation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in agar matrix. The XRD results revealed the presence of magnetite nanoparticles. The SEM results confirm that the magnetite nanoparticles are dispersed in the agar matrix. TEM micrograph clearly illustrates that the magnetite nanoparticles sizes varies from 50 – 200 nm.