Synthesis, structure, and properties of large surface area Fe3O4/SiO2 nanocomposites

This paper describes procedures for the template synthesis of magnetically controlled, large surface area Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 nanocomposites using sodium oleate as a template. The structure and magnetic properties of the nanocomposites have been investigated in relation to SiO 2 content and the way in which sodium oleate had been added to the solution. The largest specific surface area (up to 400 m 2 /g) was reached when the nanocomposites were fabricated using magnetic fluids. The synthesized materials were tested as adsorbents.