Characterization

X-ray Diffraction (XRD)

 Power X-ray diffraction is one of the powerful techniques for the characterization of core-shell
nanoparticles.
 In case of materials where the core and the shell are crystalline, diffraction patterns from the
prominent lattice planes can be seen in the diffractograms.

Optical Spectroscopy

 Optical spectroscopy is another very important tool used for the characterization of
nanomaterials.
 All the nanostructured materials exhibit unique and complex optical properties.
 Plasmons-electromagnetic resonance resulting from the collective oscillations of conduction
band electrons.
 The resonance frequency mainly depends on the restoring force.

Zeta Potential

 Zeta potential or electrokinetic potential is the potential at which the fixed part of the double
layer along with a part of the mobile layer moves towards an electrode.
 It can also be defined as the potential at the shear plane of the particle when it moves in the
medium.
 The measure of zeta potential throws a light on the stability of colloidal/nanoparticles solutions.
If all particles in a suspension have large negative or positive zeta values, then they will repel
each other and there will not be any tendency to flocculate.
 If particles have low zeta potential values, then there is no force to prevent the particles from
coagulating.
 The greater the zeta potential, the greater will be the stability.
 The zeta potential is traditionally measured by using the “micro electrophoresis” method.
Microelectrophoresis is a technique based on light scattering by particles.

Zeta potential depends on a number of parameters like:

 Surface charges
 Ions adsorbed at the interfaces
 Nature and composition of the surrounding medium

Zeta potential is calculated according to Smoluchowski’s Formula

Properties

Electrochemistry

 The shells in core-shell nanoparticles are porous and hence permit electron transport
through them
  The porosity of core-shell nanoparticles was extensively investigated by using cyclic
voltammetry and absorption spectroscopy.

Optical Properties

Optical properties of nanoparticles

 The optical interaction induces a dipole moment that oscillates coherently at the frequency of
the incident wave.
 The frequency of this oscillation depends on the:
 Electron density
 Effective mass
 Shape and size of the charge undergoing oscillation
 The collective oscillation of the free conduction electrons is called ‘plasmon resonance’ of the
particle and is schematically depicted by:

 The dipole plasmon frequency is related to the dielectric constant of the metal. The frequency
dependent dielectric constant of a bulk metal Ɛ(w) is measurable.

A dispersion diagram showing the conditions of surface Plasmon resonance as a function of wavelength
of the incident light is shown in:

FIGUREEEEEEE 9.13

Optical properties of core-shell nanoparticles

 The optical characteristics of core-shell nanoparticles can be explained on the basis of the
modified Mie’s theory, which considers the scattering of light from spheres coated with a
homogeneous layer of uniform thickness.
 For nanometer-sized objects of core-shell nanoparticles considered here, the particles may be
described as dipole oscillators.
 The degree of scattering by the shell layer can be controlled by altering the refractive index of
the solvent. This means that even if the particles are grown to micron size by silica deposition,
the sol can still exhibit the optical properties of the nanoparticles cores.

Optical Non-Linearity

 Organic non-linear optical materials can be used for high density data storage, phase
conjugation, holography, and spatial light modulation.
 Among the non-linear optical applications, optical limiting has been the most promising.
 A non-linear absorption wherein the material’s absorbance increases with the intensity of the
incident light is obviously useful for optical limiting. One mechanism that has been particularly
useful for optical limiting is two-photon absorption.
Applications

Biological Applications

 Magnetic core-shell particles are used in clinical applications and biotechnology, as the shells
can be made biocompatible. They also find extensive uses in:
 The transportation of drugs to the sites of diseases
 Functions as magnetic carriers for the isolation of blood cells and antibodies

Magnetism of Core-shell Nanoparticles

 The magnetism of core-shell nanoparticles can be tuned by varying the shell thickness
 The Fe58Pt42/Fe3O4 core shell nanoparticles are ferromagnetic at low temp but super-
paramagnetic at room temperature. Such materials find application in:
 Ultra high density magnetic storage
 Biological labeling
 Detection and drug delivery
 The super paramagnetism of ϒ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles has been utilized in making facile recyclable
catalysts in Suzuki cross-coupling reactions.
 Magnetic nanoparticles are used in various areas such as:
 Bearings
 Seals
 Lubricants
 Heat carriers
 Printing
 Recording
 Polishing media
 MRI
 Drug delivery
 Biological separations
 Therapy
 Magnetic nanoparticles are being tested as contrast-enhancing agents for cancer imaging and
therapy.

Catalysis

 Catalysis by core-shell nanoparticles is a very important, active and emerging area, which can
have a tremendous impact in the chemical industry, pharmaceutical products and the fuel
sector.
 More than 90% of all industrial processes are catalytically controlled.