New Fe(III) malonate type complex combination for development of magnetic nanosized γ-Fe2O3

•The synthesis method allows the isolation of the Fe(III) malonate type compound.•A new compound was synthesized as precursor for magnetic nanosized γ-Fe2O3.•The proposed mechanism sustains the redox process Fe3+ → Fe2+ → γ-Fe2O3.•The low nanoparticle size and purity of γ-Fe2O3 explain its magnetic behavior.

γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with an average size of 15 nm were prepared by thermal decomposition of the carboxylic complex combination of Fe (III)-malonate type at low temperature. This precursor was obtained in the redox reaction between Fe (III) nitrate and 1,3-propane diol. The composition and structure formulasformulas proposed for this new compound were reproducibly confirmed by elemental and thermal analysis. The conversion mechanism of the Fe (III)-malonate to γ-Fe2O3 was discussed by means of structure-chemical considerations. Phase composition and magnetic properties of the γ-Fe2O3 powder were studied by XRD, Mossbauer spectroscopy and magnetic measurements.

Graphical abstractConversion of the new Fe(III) malonate complex to γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide