Facile microwave-assisted preparation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles supported on carbonized cellulose nanocrystals derived from sugarcane bagasse

Microwave energy is an efficient form of energy used to speed up the synthesis of nanoparticles. Herein, we report the use of an unmodified domestic microwave oven to prepare magnetic spherical Fe3O4 (magnetite) nanoparticles (IONPs) supported on carbonized cellulose nanocrystals, forming a nanocomposite, in an expeditious and facile one-step reaction. This was achieved using the readily available precursors of FeCl3 as an iron source, and sugarcane bagasse, using activated charcoal as a microwave absorber. The nanocomposite was characterized using Raman spectroscopy which suggested a degree of crystallinity based on a G/D ratio of 1.25. The morphology of the Fe3O4/carbonized cellulose nanocrystal nanocomposite was characterized as spherical metallic nanoparticles supported on carbonized cellulose nanocrystals using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), SEM, and EDX, while the identity of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles was confirmed with powder XRD. [GRAPHICS]