Iron Silver Core Shell Nanoparticles (Fe/Ag, 99.9%, APS: 80-100nm, Metal Core/Metal Shell)

Iron Silver Core-Shell Nanoparticles

Applications

Introduction

Iron-Silver (Fe-Ag) core-shell nanoparticles are a class of composite nanomaterials composed of an iron (Fe) core coated with a thin layer of silver (Ag). This core-shell structure combines the magnetic properties of iron with the electronic, optical, and antibacterial properties of silver. These unique features make Fe-Ag core-shell nanoparticles highly versatile and suitable for a broad range of applications across fields such as biomedicine, electronics, catalysis, environmental remediation, and sensors.

Properties

Magnetic Properties (Fe Core):

Superparamagnetism: The Fe core imparts superparamagnetism, allowing the nanoparticles to be magnetized under an external magnetic field but lose magnetization once the field is removed. This makes Fe-Ag core-shell nanoparticles ideal for magnetic separation, magnetic targeting, and imaging.

Magnetic Responsiveness: The magnetic properties enable the nanoparticles to be manipulated for precise targeting in drug delivery, tissue imaging, and diagnostics.

Antibacterial and Antimicrobial Properties (Ag Shell):

Antimicrobial Activity: The Ag shell gives Fe-Ag nanoparticles strong antibacterial and antiviral properties. Silver has been shown to disrupt the cell walls of bacteria, preventing their replication and growth. This makes these nanoparticles highly effective for wound healing, disinfection, and infection prevention.

Biocidal Effects: The antimicrobial properties of silver extend to various pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, providing an effective tool for healthcare-related applications.

Applications of Fe-Ag Core-Shell Nanoparticles

Biomedical Applications

MRI and Medical Imaging: The magnetic properties of Fe provide magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast, while the optical properties of the silver shell can improve the resolution of imaging techniques. Fe-Ag nanoparticles can be used as multimodal contrast agents in MRI and optical imaging.

Biosensing: The combination of magnetic and optical properties in Fe-Ag nanoparticles makes them ideal for biosensing applications. They can be functionalized with specific biomolecules (e.g., antibodies or DNA) to detect disease biomarkers, pathogens, or toxic compounds.

Environmental Applications

Pollutant Removal and Water Treatment: Fe-Ag nanoparticles can be used in water purification to remove heavy metals, organic contaminants, and pathogens. The magnetic properties of the iron core allow for easy separation of the nanoparticles after they have adsorbed or interacted with pollutants. The antibacterial properties of the silver shell can also help disinfect water, making Fe-Ag nanoparticles useful in wastewater treatment and environmental cleanup.