Molecular-Level Understanding of Continuous Growth from Iron-Oxo Clusters to Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b01670
• Publication Date: 2019-04-09T22:51:31Z
• Authors: Hogeun Chang; Byung Hyo Kim; Hu Young Jeong; Jeong Hee Moon; Minwoo Park; Kwangsoo Shin; Sue In Chae; Jisoo Lee; Taegyu Kang; Back Kyu Choi; Jiwoong Yang; Megalamane S. Boo...; Hyoin Song; Seong Hee An; Kyung Man Park; Joo Yeon Oh; Hoonkyung Lee; Myung Soo Kim; Jungwon Park; Taeghwan Hyeon
• Keywords: Carboxylate; Iron oxide nanoparticles

The formation of inorganic nanoparticles has been understood based on the classical crystallization theory described by a burst nucleation, where surface energy is known to play critical role, and diffusion-controlled growth process. However, this nucleation model may not be universally applicable entire nanoparticle systems because different precursors ligands are used during their synthesis. Their intrinsic chemical reactivity can lead pathway that deviates from model. metal oxide one such case several distinct aspects Typical carboxylate ligands, which often employed in synthesis nanoparticles, tend continuously remain throughout They also act as an oxygen source nanoparticles. Carboxylates prone reactions with species alcohol or amine. Such frequently leave reactive hydroxyl groups surface. Herein, we track process iron synthesized conventional precursors, iron-oleate complexes, strongly chelating moieties. Mass spectrometry studies reveal precursor cluster comprising tri-iron-oxo core rather than mononuclear complex. A combinatorial analysis shows growth, regulated organic continuous without discrete step.