(439e) The Synthesis of Magnetic Nano-Photocatalyst Via Atomic Layer Deposition

Iron nanoparticles were produced in this study via the decomposition of iron oxalate particles. The iron oxalate powder was first ground using a cryogenic milling process. TiO2 thin films were then deposited on the synthesized iron nanoparticles using an in situ Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) method at 100oC with TiCl4 and H2O2 precursors. However, due to a high surface area, the iron nanoparticles were unstable and spontaneously oxidized when exposed to H2O2 during the TiO2 ALD process, thus reducing the magnetic property of the magnetic core particles. Therefore, prior to TiO2 deposition, Si3N4 films were deposited in-situ to coat and passivate the iron nanoparticles. This passivation provided for asignificant decrease in the the iron oxidation. The photoactivity of this nanocatalyst was tested by decomposing methylene blue under UV irradiation. The magnetic properties were measured using a magnetometer.