Facile synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles by reduction phase transformation from γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in organic solvent

Abstract: A phase transformation induced by the reduction of as-synthesized γ-maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles was performed in solution by exploiting the reservoir of reduction gas (CO) generated from the incomplete combustion reaction of organic substances in the reactor. Results from X-ray diffraction, color indicator, and magnetic analysis using a SQUID strongly support this phase transformation. Based on this route, monodisperse magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were simply produced in the range from 260 to 300°C. Almost all aspects of the original γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles, such as shape, size, and monodispersity, were maintained in the produced Fe3O4 nanoparticles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]