title: Composite multifunctional nanostructures based on ZnO tetrapods and superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles.
abstract: A nanocomposite material is obtained by coupling superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NP) and vapor phase grown zinc oxide nanostructures with 'tetrapod' morphology (ZnO TP). The aim is the creation of a multifunctional material which retains the attractive features of ZnO (e.g. surface reactivity, strong UV emission, piezoelectricity) together with added magnetism. Structural, morphological, optical, magnetic and functional characterization are performed. In particular, the high saturation magnetization of Fe3O4 NP (above 50 A m(2) kg(-1)), the strong UV luminescence and the enhanced photocatalytic activity of coupled nanostructures are discussed. Thus the nanocomposite turns out to be suitable for applications in energy harvesting and conversion, gas- and bio-sensing, bio-medicine and filter-free photocatalysis.
authors.affiliation: IMEM-CNR, Parco Area delle Scienze 37/A, Parma I-43124, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Villani
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rimoldi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Calestani
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lazzarini
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chiesi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Casoli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Albertini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zappettini
mesh_terms: D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D015034:Zinc Oxide