Effect of pH on Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Iron oxide nanoparticles are prepared using sol-gel method with variations in pH as 5, 7 and 9. The nanoparticles are characterized using X-ray diffractometer and vibrating sample magnetometer. The nanoparticles show formation of magnetite & maghemite mixed phases at pH 5 and 7. Whereas, with increase in pH to 9 phase transition from mixed phase to pure magnetite phase is observed. The nanoparticles show superparamagnetic behavior with highest saturation for the nanoparticles prepared at pH 9 thus making them a potential candidate for biomedical applications.