One-step solution synthesis of Fe2O3 nanoparticles at low temperature

A new synthesis method of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles was developed, in which the ferrous and ferric salts as well as polyaniline acted as the precursor and dispersant, respectively. From the investigation of X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectra, the α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles can be directly prepared by the co-precipitation method without high-temperature calcining. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation revealed that the α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles had average diameters ranging from 30.0 to 75.0 nm. Compared with previous methods, this present method shows an easy processing and can be applied on the large-scale produce of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in one step.

Research highlights
► PANI/α-Fe2O3 composite nanoparticles were successfully prepared at low temperatures in one step.
► This present synthesis method shows an easy processing and does not need high-temperature calcining.
► The composite particles exhibit a specific saturation magnetization of 0.8 emu/g and a retentivity (Mr) of 0.25 emu/g.
► The composite nanoparticles show a typical conductive behavior and its conductivity was about 1.0 S/m.