Study the effect of HLB of surfactant on particle size distribution of hematite nanoparticles prepared via the reverse microemulsion

Hematite nanoparticles have been synthesized via reverse microemulsion route at room temperature. The microemulsion system, contained water, chloroform, 1-butanol, and surfactant, was combined with iron nitrate solution to result iron oxide nanoparticles precipitation. Three technical surfactants, with different structures and HLB (hydrophile–lipophile balance) values were employed and the effects of the HLB values on the hematite particle size were investigated. The prepared particles were evaluated by BET, XRD and TEM techniques. These results showed that the iron oxide particle size and particle size distribution increased with increasing surfactant HLB values.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Preparing iron nanoparticles by the reverse microemulsion. ► Microemulsion consisting of surfactants with different HLB values. ► The effect of HLB values on the particle size was studied.