Solvothermal synthesis and characterization of size-controlled Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Size-controlled Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared via a facile solvothermal method by using the mixed surfactants of SDS and PEG as protective reagents. The sizes of the nanoparticles can be varied from 15 to 190 nm by adjusting the experimental conditions. The influences of the protective reagents, reaction time, the initial concentration of the reactant, molar ratio of FeCl3 and protective reagents on the size of the produced nanoparticles were studied. The size and morphology of the products were investigated in detail by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).