One-step synthesis and functionalization of hydroxyl-decorated magnetite nanoparticles.

Magnetite nanoparticles covered by a layer of omega-hydroxycarboxylic acid were synthesized in one step by high-temperature decomposition of iron(III) omega-hydroxycarboxylates in tri- and tetra-ethylene glycol. The nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, XRD, IR, XPS and NMR techniques in order to show that they comprise a crystalline magnetite core and actually bear on the outer surface terminal hydroxy groups. The latter ones are convenient "handles" for further functionalization as opposed to the chemically-inert aliphatic chains which cover conventionally synthesized nanoparticles.