(65ai) Synthesizing Iron and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in the Membrane Domain for Reactions at Interfaces

Iron in various oxide forms has proven to have wide applicability, with possibilities ranging from the inactivation of viruses to the remote controlled heating of desired areas. Zero valent iron (ZVI), ferrous, ferric, ferryl, as well as Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 all contain unique and desirable properties as nanoparticles. In combining multiple disciplines, we are looking at immobilizing Fe0/Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the polymer domain. The autocatalytic reaction that occurs at the interface of Fe0 nanoparticles in the presence of oxygen to produce hydrogen peroxide and the hydroxyl radical has large implications that are being investigated. Much work is also being done to develop a technique to immobilize Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the polymer membrane domain. If this can be accomplished, the objective will then be to look at the remote controlled heating of the magnetite nanoparticles made possible by magnetite's superparmagnetic properties. An efficient technique has already been developed to immobilize ZVI nanoparticles in the polymer membrane domain. This is done through the ion exchange of ferrous ions onto a PVDF-PAA membrane (polyvinyladine fluoride membrane complexed with Polyacrylic Acid), followed by reduction with Sodium Borohydride. In addition to this, magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles have been synthesized in solution by the following reaction: Fe^(2+) + 2Fe^(3+) + 8OH^-→ Fe_3 O_4 + 4H_2 O So the objective is now to combine these two techniques and synthesize a membrane containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles.