Synthesis and applications of magnetic nanocomposite catalysts

The synthesis of a nanocomposite of Pd nanoclusters supported on silica-coated Fe2O3 nanocomposite as a magnetic catalyst support due to their superparamagnetic properties and biocompatibility was demonstrated. Self-assembled block copolypeptides on magnetic nanoparticles could be used as a smart drug delivery system controlled by magnetic field. Magnetic nanoparticles can be processed with quantum dots within a silica matrix to yield magnetic and fluorescent nanocomposites. Layer-by-layer synthesis, charged particle interaction, and mercaptosilane functionalization can be employed to derive a novel heterogeneous catalyst system whereby the high surface-to-volume ratio of transmission metal nanoclusters can be used to achieve high reactivity. The transmission electron microscopy results show that Pd nanoclusters were deposited on SiO2/ Fe2O3 nanoparticles with thick SiO2 shell.