Green synthesis and surface properties of Fe3O4@SA core–shell nanocomposites

Abstract In this paper, a one-step, economic and green approach was explored to prepare Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles by using l -cysteine as reducer and disperser without any inert gas protection. The Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were then modified with stearic acid (SA) to form Fe 3 O 4 @SA core–shell nanocomposites. The experiment results indicate that the core–shell nanocomposites prepared could form monolayer on the water surface or films by means of Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technology due to their hydrophobic and lipophilic properties. Also the composites exhibit paramagnetism, which make product dispersed stably in the oil medium to form magnetic fluid. Moreover, they are developed as sorbents to remove oil from water surface.