Title: A novel approach for producing α- and γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in various media

Authors: Marzieh Shekarriz; Ali Saffar-Teluri; Sohrab Taghipoor; Forouzan Hajialiakbari; Morteza Eslamian

Addresses: Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), West Blvd., Near Azadi Sports Complex, Tehran, 1485733111, Iran. ' Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Material Science and Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Najafabad, 8514143131, Iran. ' Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), West Blvd., Near Azadi Sports Complex, Tehran, 1485733111, Iran. ' Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), West Blvd., Near Azadi Sports Complex, Tehran, 1485733111, Iran. ' School of Engineering and Computing Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78412, USA

Abstract: Iron (III) chloride hexahydrate (FeCl₃.6H₂O), glycerine, three surfactants and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) are used as the precursors for the preparation of α and γ iron oxide nanoparticles. XRD and TEM are employed to characterise the particles. Novel pathways are identified that may be used to produce either α or γ phases without changing the temperature and through changing the preparation sequence. If the as-prepared particles from the solution produced in the presence of a surfactant, are first washed and then calcinated, the α phase is obtained, whereas if the particles are first calcinated and then washed, the γ phase is produced.

Keywords: iron oxide nanoparticles; solution methods; synthesis pathways; iron oxide phases; nanotechnology; Fe2O3.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNP.2012.049916

International Journal of Nanoparticles, 2012 Vol.5 No.4, pp.380 - 388

Received: 26 Oct 2011
Accepted: 23 Feb 2012
Published online: 20 Aug 2014 *

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