Preparation of Monodispersed Iron Nanoparticles by Thermal Decomposition

Monodispersed iron nanoparticles were prepared by thermal decomposition of iron carbonyl at low temperatures of 160–180 °C in kerosene. The iron nanoparticles were spherical and their average size was decreased from 11.2 nm to 8.6 nm with increasing decomposition temperatures in the range of 160 °C to 180 °C. The as-prepared iron nanoparticles were amorphous, but the surface of the particles was easily oxidized to be spinel structured.