Template synthesis, structure, and properties of magnetically controlled, large surface area Fe sub(3)O sub(4)/TiO sub(2) adsorbents

We have developed a process for the preparation of magnetically controlled Fe sub(3)O sub(4)/TiO sub(2) nanocomposites with increased specific surface areas and investigated the structural, magnetic, and adsorption properties of the nanocomposites. The use of block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (Pluronic-123) as a template in the synthesis process was shown to lead to a considerable increase in specific surface area (to 320 m super(2)/g). After heat treatment, the materials containing 0.3-0.5 g of TiO sub(2) and 0.0007-0.7 g of Pluronic-123 per gram of magnetite had a specific saturation magnetization in the range 3.75 to 3.96 mu T m super(3)/kg and coercive field from 1.47 to 1.61 kA/m.