Complexing-reagent assisted synthesis of α-Fe and γ-Fe<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> nanowires under mild conditions

α-Fe and γ-Fe₂O₃ nanowires were successfully synthesized from FeCl₂ solution with 1,10-phenanthroline as complexing reagent via a simple, mild reduction or reduction–oxidization process. It was found that there existed some folded ribbon-like nanostructures as well as nanowires in the obtained α-Fe and γ-Fe₂O₃ products. Magnetic behavior of as-prepared α-Fe and γ-Fe₂O₃ nanowires was investigated by the temperature dependence of magnetization. The formation mechanism of α-Fe and γ-Fe₂O₃ nanowires was also proposed.