Preparation of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles using DC thermal arc-plasma route, their characterization and magnetic properties

γ-Fe2O3 particles were prepared, for the first time, using a direct current thermal arc-plasma route. The powder was characterized using X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, chemical analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry and transmission electron microscopy. The high purity, stoichiometry and spherical morphology of the γ-Fe2O3 particles (saturation magnetization = 79 emu g−1 and coercivity = 348 Oe) were confirmed.