A bioinspired approach to the synthesis of bimetallic CoNi nanoparticles

Inorg Chem. 2010 Feb 15;49(4):1705-11. doi: 10.1021/ic902128g.

Abstract

Bimetallic CoNi nanoparticles have been prepared within the apoferritin cavity. The protein shell controls size, prevents aggregation, and makes nanoparticles water-soluble. The CoNi series prepared in this way were structurally and magnetically characterized, the resulting magnetic properties varying accordingly with composition (Co(75)/Ni(25), Co(50)/Ni(50), Co(25)/Ni(75)). Co and Ni metals were associated in each nanoparticle, as demonstrated by high-angle annular dark field scanning electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). After intentional oxidation, the CoNi nanoparticles were characterized by EELS, X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), and SQUID measurements to evaluate the importance of the oxidation on magnetic properties.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoferritins / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Cobalt / chemistry*
  • Crystallization
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electrochemistry / methods
  • Lithium / chemistry*
  • Magnetics / methods*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / methods
  • Nanostructures
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Nickel / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Particle Size
  • Surface Properties
  • Water / chemistry
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Water
  • Cobalt
  • Nickel
  • Apoferritins
  • Lithium