Preparation of nanoengineered ZVI@CIT core-shell with ultra-high magnetic saturation and tunable magnetic properties as candidates for treatment water, biomedical, and energy applications

Crystalline zero-valent iron (cZVI) has generated a great deal of interest in recent years due to its potential in water treatment, biomedical and energy applications with enhanced performance at lower magnetic field gradients. To find out candidates for water treatment, hyperthermia, and in energy applications as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries, as catalysts in oxygen evolution reactions, and for oil purification, the present study demonstrates synthesis and elucidation of ZVI) based core-shell nano-systems prepared at various temperatures, concentrations of the core metal, ligand and reducing agent. We found out that, at optimal metal concentrations, magnetic saturation increases with an increase in concentrations of capping and reducing agents but decreases as the temperature of the reaction increases. Particles have an average size (D_SEM = 39±13 nm) with a spherical shape. Ultra-high magnetic saturation (241 emu/g) observed in response to low reaction temperature is associated with the relaxation of magnetization behavior. Hence, we demonstrate the tunability of magnetization in ZVI@CIT core-shell nanoparticle systems. This work uncovers essential information on tuning magnetization and crystal properties of nano-scale core-shell particles for the purpose of using them in various applications.