DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/MDRT-GM31

Defense Date

2016

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

First Advisor

Dr. Everett E. Carpenter

Abstract

The work of this dissertation is centered on two non-conventional synthetic approaches to ferromagnetic nanomaterials: high-throughput experimentation (HTE) (polyol process) and continuous flow (CF) synthesis (aqueous reduction and the polyol process). HTE was performed to investigate phase control between FexCo1-x and Co3-xFexOy. Exploration of synthesis limitations based on magnetic properties was achieved by reproducing Ms=210 emu/g. Morphological control of FexCo1-x alloy was achieved by formation of linear chains using an Hext. The final study of the FexCo1-x chains used DoE to determine factors to control FexCo1-x, diameter, crystallite size and morphology. [Ag] with [Metal] provide statistically significant control of crystallite size. [OH]/[Metal] predict 100 % FexCo1-x at > 30. To conclude section 1, a morphological study was performed on synthesis of Co3-xFexOy using the polyol process. Co3-xFexOy micropillars were synthesized at various sizes. The close proximity of the particles in the nanostructure produced an optical anisotropy and was magnetically induced which is evidence for the magneto-birefringence effect.

The second non-conventional synthetic approach involves continuous flow (CF) chemistry. Co nanoparticles (Ms=125 emu/g) were newly synthesized by aqueous reduction in a microreactor and had 30 ±10 nm diameter and were produced at >1g/hr, a marker of industrial-scale up viability. The final work was the CF synthesis of FexCo1-x. The FexCo1-x was synthesized with limitation to the composition. The maximum FexCo1-x phase composition at 20 % resulted from the aqueous carrier solvent triggering oxide formation over FexCo1-x.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

5-11-2016

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