Gamma-irradiation synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles in the presence of PEO, PVP or CTAB

• γ-irradiation synthesis produced a small amount of δ-FeOOH in samples.
• The use of 2-propanol increased the yield of rod-like goethite particles.
• Experimental conditions for the synthesis of pure magnetite particles were found.
• γ-irradiation of an Fe(III)/PEO aqueous precursor produced rigid black hydrogels.

Black hydrogels were synthesized using γ-irradiation of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/iron(III) chloride precursor solutions. The magnetic properties of such hydrogels were improved by adding 2-propanol as a hydroxyl scavenger and/or NaBH4 as a strong chemical reducing agent; however, the rigidity and compactness of thus synthesized PEO hydrogels deteriorated. The magnetic suspension containing pure magnetite nanoparticles was obtained using γ-irradiation of an Fe(III)/PEO deoxygenated aqueous solution in the presence of 2-propanol and NaBH4. The γ-irradiation of an iron(III) chloride aqueous precursor solution in the presence of PVP produced a magnetic suspension due to the formation of a small amount of δ-FeOOH (feroxyhyte). The γ-irradiation of Fe(III)/CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) aqueous solutions favored the formation of goethite. γ-irradiation in the presence of 2-propanol increased the yield of rod-like goethite nanoparticles. A small amount of δ-FeOOH found in the Fe(III)/PVP and Fe(III)/CTAB suspensions suggests the formation of Fe(OH)2upon γ-irradiation, which then under atmospheric conditions rapidly oxidized into δ-FeOOH.