Self-assembly of αα-Fe2O3 nanoparticles into rice ball shaped microstructures via a pyrolytic route

Rice ball shaped αα- Fe2O3 microstructures have been synthesized using a single-step Fe(NO3)3 solution calcination route without the assistance of any other additions. A series of techniques, including XRD, XPS, FE-SEM and DLS ones, were used to characterize the product. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis provided insight into the decomposition process of the Fe(NO3)3 precursor. A possible growth mechanism of the rice ball shaped αα- Fe2O3 microstructures was explained.