Multifunctional CNTs nanohybrids decorated with magnetic and fluorescent nanoparticles layer-by-layer

Fe3O4/CNTs nanocomposites, which were prepared by polyol-medium in situ high-temperature decomposition of Fe(acac)3 using PVP as stabilizing agent and modified with SDS, were further decorated with high-quality ZnS nanocrystal via a wet technique in glycol solution. The obtained ZnS/Fe3O4/CNTs nanohybrids were characterized by XRD, FT–IR, Raman microscope, TEM, EDS, XPS, VSM and fluorophotometers. Results indicated that magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles and fluorescent ZnS nanocrystal were uniformly dispersed on the surface of CNTs layer-by-layer with PVP and SDS as stabilizing agent and ion-capture agent, respectively. The novel multi-functional nanohybrids exhibit super-paramagnetic properties with a saturation magnetization about 6·795 emu g − 1 at room temperature and show a strong emission band at 367 nm with a broad shoulder around 342–483 nm due to the interactions and/or background emissions of Fe3O4 and CNTs. The superparamagnetic and fluorescent properties of obtained products are promising for potential applications in magnetically guided and fluorescence tracing drug delivery systems.