Functionalization of silicon carbide by magnetic nanoparticles for tracer uses

Abstract

The present work reports a novel and simple way to functionalize commercial silicon carbide with magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4). Maghemite and magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical coprecipitation of FeCl3·6H2O and FeCl2·4H2O with a proportion 2:1. This method was selected for its simplicity, reproducibility and low cost in terms of solvents and chemical reagents. They were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetometry (MIAtek®) and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV). The main objective of this work is to study the coating of SiC with Fe3O4 in four different situations: synthesis or addition of magnetic nanoparticles, evaporation of water, and use of a binder. The particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), magnetometry (MIAtek®) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). As observed by MIAtek® there is a difference between the methods used, evaporation of water being the best technique to obtain functionalized SiC with 0,5 wt% coated nanoparticles and showing no apparent change on morphology and a high magnetic saturation reachable at low applied field and room temperature, making this method, suitable for tracer uses.