Preparation of novel magnetic fluorescent microspheres from copperas and fluorescence enhancement with zinc ions

The aim of this study is to develop a new method for the preparation of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –An NPs from copperas. The core–shell structures of the nanoparticles and chemical composition have been confirmed by TEM, XRD and FTIR techniques. Fluorescence Enhancement of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –An NPs with zinc ions was investigated by fluorescence emission spectra. The results indicated that the Fe 3 O 4 NPs with a high purity (Total Fe 72.16 %) were obtained from copperas by chemical co-precipitation method and have a uniform spherical morphology with an average diameter of about 10 nm. The Fe 3 O 4 NPs coated with silica nanoparticles were prepared, and an attempt had been made that the Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 NPs were modified by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and 9-anthranone successively. The recommended mole ratio of ethanol to water and the content of ammonia water added were 4:1 and 25 wt% respectively, which have an obviously effect on the combination of the final well-ordered MNPs with the amino functionalities and reactant components. The functionalized Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –An NPs have a fluorescence property and this fluorescence effect can be enhanced with the Zn 2+ ions attachment. Meanwhile, the saturated magnetization of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –An NPs was 37.8 emug −1 at 25 °C and this fluorescent material exhibited excellent magnetic properties. A new way was therefore provided for the comprehensive utilization of the unmarketable copperas. Moreover, the functionalized Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –An NPs have a big potential in environmental decontamination, medical technology and biological science.