Green Magnetic Nanoparticles: Recent Advancements in Synthesis and Characterization

Abstract

Various types of nanoparticles (NPs) have been used in numerous scientific and industrial fields. Specifically, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have drawn great attention in the last two decades concerning their synthesis, development, functionality, and relevant applications in a variety of areas including data storage, wastewater treatment, catalysis, bio-separation, and medicine. Several strategies have been developed to synthesize MNPs with various shapes, sizes, and compositions. The magnetization performance of MNPs is directly dependent on their high size, size distribution, composition, and crystallinity of the NP. The highly crystalline, monodisperse, and uniform MNPs called “high-quality MNPs” with unique magnetic properties have been synthesized by chemical synthesis method in the presence of hydrophobic surfactant (long hydrocarbon chain) and nonpolar solvents at high temperatures; however, these MNPs are toxic, insoluble in water and lack of use in all bio-related applications. To use these MNPs in biological applications, it is mandatory to apply a ligand exchange process to remove hydrophilic ligands and make MNPs soluble and stable in aqueous solutions. To address these issues, green synthesis methods using biomolecules, plant extracts, and microorganisms have been developed for the synthesis of biocompatible MNPs. This chapter aims to display recent developments in the synthesis of MNPs with green synthesis methods and in their characterization. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.