Well-defined SiO2-coated Fe2Co nanoparticles prepared by reduction with CaH2

Well-defined SiO2-coated Fe2Co nanoparticles have been successfully prepared by the reduction of SiO(2-)coated CoFe2O4 nanoparticles with CaH2. Lowering the reducing temperature by using CaH2 is essential to keep the well-defined morphology of the starting nanoparticles intact. Surface modification with a silane coupling agent which has COOH groups has led to excellent aqueous dispersibility that facilitates subsequent functionalization with a variety of molecules via well-established processes such as EDC/NHS chemistry. The obtained SiO2-coated Fe2Co nanoparticles equipped with controlled morphology, corrosion resistivity, soft magnetic properties, and easy post-functionalization are expected to serve as a building block for electromagnetic, biological, and medical applications.