Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-2016

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Biomedical Engineering

Major Professor

Jacqueline A. Johnson

Committee Members

Silke Hecht, Claudia Rawn

Abstract

Fe3O4 [Magnetite] nanoparticles have magnetism that differs greatly from their bulk counterparts. Whereas bulk Fe3O4 is a ferrimagnet, single-domain Fe3O4 nanoparticles have been found to be superparamagnetic. This allows for increased magnetization of the nanoparticles compared to the bulk when in a magnetic field. For most paramagnets, magnetization requires applied fields of a few Tesla at low temperatures. This is achievable through the application of superconducting magnets. In superparamagnets, the high susceptibility of the particles allows magnetization through a Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet at room temperature. This is caused by an increased number of magnetic atoms within the particles, which greatly increases susceptibility of the particles. 57Co [Cobalt-57] Mössbauer Spectroscopy allows the probing of the internal environment of an iron nucleus, which gives insight into the magnetic properties of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles.

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