Nonaqueous synthesis and characterization of capped α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles from iron(III) hydroxy-oleate precursor

The synthesis of capped α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles from thermal treatment of iron (III) hydroxy-oleate in boiling organic solvents around 250 °C with retention of the integrity of the oleate units during the reaction process is reported. The formation of capped iron oxide particles is accomplished under aerobic conditions while the solvents used in the synthesis have strong influence on the nature and morphology of nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are studied by means of X-ray powder diffraction, IR and XPS while the morphology and particle size of nanocrystals are evaluated using SEM and TEM analysis suggesting the formation of monocrystalline α-Fe2O3 particles having cubical and spherical morphologies with sizes ranging from 20 to 30 nm. This organophilic material with oleate capping around the surfaces can be readily dispersed in organic solvents thus forming organosols. These organosols exhibit band-edge emission photoluminescence band both in toluene as well as in solid state while FT-IR analysis reveals formation oleate capped nanoparticles The XPS data indicate ferric state having doublet from Fe 2p3/2 and Fe 2p1/2 core-level electrons.

Non-aqueous synthesis of oelate capped iron oxide nanoparticles in different solvents results in the formation of cubical or spherical morphologies possessing appreciable dispersibility in organic solvents as a consequence of particles sizes in the range of 10–30 nm. These organosols exhibit photoluminescence properties owing to their organophilic character while XRD and XPS measurements reveal hematite formation having α-Fe2O3 structure.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide