Preparation and characterization of Fe3O4/Au composite particles

Using Fe3O4 nano-particles as seeds, a new type of Fe3O4/Au composite particles with core/shell structure and diameter of about 170 nm was prepared by reduction of Au3+ with hydroxylamine in an aqueous solution. Particle size analyzer and transmission electron micro-scope were used to analyze the size distribution and microstructure of the particles in different conditions. The result showed that the magnetically responsive property and suspension stability of Fe3O4 seeds as well as reduction conditions of Au3+ to Au0 are the main factors which are crucial for obtaining a colloid of the Fe3O4/Au composite particles with uniform particle dispersion, excellent stability, homogeneity in particle sizes, and effective response to an external magnet in aqueous suspension solutions. UV-Vis analysis revealed that there is a characteristic peak of Fe3O4/Au fluid. For particles with d(0.5)=168 nm, the lmax is 625 nm.