Lignocellulose-stabilized iron-palladium nanomagnetic biocomposites

In this study we report the synthesis and characterization of superparamagnetic Fe-Pd (1–75 at.% Fe) nanomagnets grown within a lignocellulose fiber matrix for future advanced material applications. The small (~5 nm diameter) Fe-Pd nanoparticles are crystalline with spherical shape and evenly dispersed throughout the lignocellulose support while preserving the structure of the biopolymer matrix. Material characterization of the as-formed biocomposites confirms primarily zero-valent Pd-Fe alloy with a thin surface oxide layer. Normal superparamagnetic behavior consistent with extremely small nanoparticle size is measured, including increasing measured blocking temperature with increasing Fe concentration. Finally, important mass loading effects of metallic nanoparticles within the lignocellulose matrix are measured and discussed.