Iron nanoparticle

<h2 id="synthesis">Synthesis</h2>
Iron nanoparticles can be synthesized using two primary approaches: top-down and bottom-up methods.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a>

<h3>Top-down Methods</h3>
Top-down approaches create nanoparticles by breaking down larger bulk materials into smaller particles, including <a href="/facts/Laser_ablation/VmXJnyLU">laser ablation</a> and mechanical grinding.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a>

<h3>Bottom-up Methods</h3>
Bottom-up approaches involve the chemical and biological synthesis of iron nanoparticles from metal precursors (e.g., Fe(II) and Fe(III)).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a> This method is widely regarded as the most effective and commonly used strategy for nanoparticle preparation.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a> For example, iron nanoparticles can be chemically prepared by reducing Fe(II) or Fe(III) salts with <a href="/facts/Sodium_borohydride/D2Hwts5x">sodium borohydride</a> in an aqueous medium. This process can be described by the following equations:<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a>

4 Fe3+ + 3 BH4− + 9 H2O → 4 Fe0↓ + 12 H+ + 6 H2 + 3 H2BO−      (1)
4 Fe2+ + 3 BH4− + 9 H2O → 4 Fe0↓ + 8 H+ + 8 H2 + 3 H2BO−      (2)
<h2 id="properties">Properties</h2>
Iron nanoparticles are prone to oxidation when exposed to air and water.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a> This redox process can occur under both acidic and neutral/basic conditions:<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a>

2 Fe0 + 4 H+ + O2 → 2 Fe2+ + 2 H2O      (3)
Fe0 + 2 H2O → Fe2+ + H2 + 2 OH−      (4)
<h2 id="application-in-environmental-remediation">Application in Environmental Remediation</h2>
Research has shown that nanoscale iron particles can be effectively used to treat several forms of <a href="/facts/Ground_contamination/BzPwKXhM">ground contamination</a>, including grounds contaminated by <a href="/facts/Polychlorinated_biphenyl/R3sC5PEf">polychlorinated biphenyls</a> (PCBs), chlorinated organic solvents, and <a href="/facts/Organochlorine/IbblBkcB">organochlorine</a> pesticides. Nanoscale iron particles are easily transportable through ground water, allowing for <a href="/facts/In_situ/YolKlaCC">in situ</a> treatment. Additionally, the nanoparticle-water slurry can be injected into the contaminated area and stay there for long periods of time.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a> These factors combine to make this method cheaper than the most currently used alternative.
Researchers have found that although metallic iron nanoparticles remediate contaminants well, they tend to <a href="/facts/Agglomerate/2AvCMgeA">agglomerate</a> on the soil surfaces. In response, <a href="/facts/Carbon_nanoparticles/xmPdCHFp">carbon nanoparticles</a> and water-soluble <a href="/facts/Polyelectrolyte/3A3jLXkh">polyelectrolytes</a> have been used as supports for the metallic iron nanoparticles. The <a href="/facts/Hydrophobic/Ifya0CXQ">hydrophobic</a> contaminants adsorb to these supports, improving <a href="/facts/Permeability_(porous_media)/ja7dRwgU">permeability</a> in sand and soil.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a>
In field tests have generally confirmed lab findings. However, research is still ongoing and nanoscale iron particles are not yet commonly used for treating ground contamination.

<h2 id="application-in-biomedicine">Application in Biomedicine</h2>
Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have widespread applications in biomedicine, including their use in <a href="/facts/Magnetic_resonance_imaging/Vh9yG9qq">magnetic resonance imaging</a> and cancer therapy via magnetic <a href="/facts/Hyperthermia_therapy/kIfMWpn5">hyperthermia</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a>
In addition to these applications, IONPs exhibit strong antibacterial activity and have been explored for drug and <a href="/facts/Viral_vector/sqkIdcqo">viral vector</a> delivery to target cells.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a> Known microorganisms susceptible to the toxic effects of IONPs include Gram-negative bacteria (e.g., <a href="/facts/Escherichia_coli/nR4Gvl56">Escherichia coli</a> and <a href="/facts/Klebsiella/mRzCFEfA">Klebsiella</a> sp.) and Gram-positive bacteria (e.g., <a href="/facts/Bacillus/RJNLPx5q">Bacillus</a> sp. and <a href="/facts/Corynebacterium/dPyL8VPz">Corynebacterium</a> sp.) <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a>.
The antibacterial activity of IONPs is primarily attributed to the generation of <a href="/facts/Reactive_oxygen_species/GpwSRugH">reactive oxygen species</a> (ROS), a mechanism similar to the Fenton reaction.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a> Specifically, Fe2+ ions react with <a href="/facts/Hydrogen_peroxide/vju6HBIc">hydrogen peroxide</a> (H2O2), producing Fe3+ ions and <a href="/facts/Hydroxyl_radical/XafpvqK5">hydroxyl radicals</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a> These highly reactive species induce oxidative damage to bacterial <a href="/facts/DNA/nB89Iauz">DNA</a>, ultimately leading to cell death.

<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Health_and_safety_hazards_of_nanomaterials/InmhSasU">Health and safety hazards of nanomaterials</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Environmental_implications_of_nanotechnology/TVMrzos6">Environmental implications of nanotechnology</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.nano.gov">National Nanotechnology Initiative</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.understandingnano.com/water.html">Nanotechnology methods to clean up water pollution</a></li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029020046/http://nanoiron.cz/en/applications">Largescale production and applications of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI)</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
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</ol>

Iron nanoparticle open-in-new

Iron nanoparticle