Template-free formation of spindle-like α-Fe2O3 microstructures by hydrothermal reduction

•Novel spindle-like α-Fe2O3 structures have been successfully prepared.•A novel, template-free, and one-step method was used.•The diameter ranging from 90 to 150 nm and the length ranging from 200 to 500 nm.•The reaction time, temperature and FeCl3 dosage were found to be crucial for the formation of such novel shapes.

Spindle-like α-Fe2O3 structures with diameter of 90–150 nm were hydrothermally synthesized without using any template or external magnetic field. The morphology and size of final products were strongly dependent on the reaction time, temperature and FeCl3 dosage. The microstructures and shapes of as-prepared samples were investigated in detail by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The formation mechanism of such novel α-Fe2O3 was discussed on the basis of controlled experiments. The reaction time, temperature and FeCl3 dosage were found to be crucial for the formation of such novel shapes. Room temperature magnetic measurement of the spindles demonstrated its ferromagnetic properties and exhibited an increased saturation magnetization (Ms 0.57 emu/g) but decreased coercivity (Hc 405 Oe) due to their peculiar morphology. The results showed a potential application in lithium ion battery field and other related electromagnetism devices.

Graphical abstractNovel Spindle-like α-Fe2O3 structures with diameter of 90–150 nm were hydrothermally synthesized without using any template or external magnetic field. The reaction time, temperature and FeCl3 dosage were found to be crucial for the formation of such novel shapes. Such novel spindles demonstrated well ferromagnetic properties.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide