Graduation Semester and Year

2011

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering

Department

Materials Science and Engineering

First Advisor

Ali R Koymen

Abstract

Carbon incorporated iron nanoparticles (Fe-CNPs) were successfully synthesized using ultrasonic cavitation in Benzene. This novel method of carbon nanoparticle (CNP) synthesis is a very cost-effective and versatile as one can easily tune the microstructure and magnetic properties by varying few parameters, for e.g. voltage. The Fe-CNP complexes are produced due to the electric plasma discharge generated between the electrodes in an ultrasonic cavitation field of liquid benzene. The constituent of the CNPs can be easily modified by different choice of electrode materials- iron and graphite. The resultant Fe-CNPs were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to reveal the presence of different forms of carbon and iron carbide particles. TEM results of Fe-CNP and CNP show lattice fringe and a diffraction pattern suggesting crystalline form of carbon form. Raman spectroscopy of Fe-CNPs shows similarity to that of diamond powder thus suggesting that the crystallinity of the samples can be easily varied as well. The magnetic properties were investigated using superconducting quantum interference measurement devise (SQUID). The Fe-CNP show zero coercivity and increase in saturation magnetization with increase in synthesis voltage. On the other hand, the CNP produced using graphite electrodes are found to be magnetic in nature. Chemical analysis shows that the Fe-CNPs have iron constituent of ~3%. Biological applications of Fe-CNPs have been discussed

Disciplines

Engineering | Materials Science and Engineering

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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