Date of Award

12-2006

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Program

Chemistry

Department

Chemistry

Major Professor

Tarr, Matthew

Second Advisor

Wiley, John

Third Advisor

Cole, Richard

Fourth Advisor

Rosenzweig, Zeev

Fifth Advisor

Fang, Jiye

Abstract

Novel synthetic routes to formation of gold-magnetite nanoparticles have been designed by sonochemistry. Treatment of preformed magnetite nanoparticles with ultrasound in aqueous media with dissolved tetrachloroauric acid resulted in the formation of gold-magnetite nanocomposite materials. These materials maintained the morphology of the original magnetite particles. The morphology of the gold particles could be controlled by adjusting experimental parameters, including the addition of small amounts of solvent modifiers such as methanol, diethylene glycol, and oleic acid. Further experiments were conducted with silver and titanium. Morphology and properties of nanocomposites were analyzed by transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive spectra (EDS), superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The nanocomposite materials were magnetic and exhibited optical properties similar to gold nanoparticles. Magnetic nanoparticles have a wide range of potential applications including uses as medical diagnostic tools, drug delivery systems, and biosensors.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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