Magnetite nanoparticles prepared by the crystallization of Na2O–Fe2O3–B2O3–SiO2 glasses

A glass with the composition of 35Na2O–24Fe2O3–20B2O3–20SiO2–1ZnO (mol%) was melted, quenched, using a twin roller technique, and subsequently heat treated in the range 485–750 °C for 1–2 h. This led to the crystallization of magnetite as the sole or the major crystalline phase.Heat treatment at lower temperatures resulted in the crystallization of magnetite crystals 7–20 nm in diameter, whereas heat treatment at higher temperatures produced higher quantities of magnetite and much larger crystals. The room temperature magnetization and coercive force values were in the range of 6–57 emu g− 1 and 0–120 Oe, respectively for the heat treated glasses.

Research Highlights
► Magnetite nano-particles kill cancerous cells in magnetic fields (Hyperthermia).
► Magnetite nano-particles can also be used in ferrofluid production.
► In this study a new glass ceramic was introduced to produce magnetite nanoparticles.
► Magnetization and coercive forces of the particles were 6–57 emu g– 1 and 0–120 Oe.
► Some magnetic properties reported here are the best values for magnetite particles.