Synthesis of submicron plate-like hematite without organic additives and reduction to plate-like α-Fe

•A novel method to produce plate-like hematite particles without organic structure-directing agents or organic solvent was developed.•The plate-like hematite׳s particles diameter can be controlled on the submicron scale.•The plate-like hematite maintained the shape even after hydrogen reduction, and obtained plate-like α-Fe showed a high saturation magnetization of 197 emu/g and a coercivity of 162 Oe.

Amorphous strontium hexaferrite (SrFe12O19) nanoparticles produced by co-precipitation were treated by a hydrothermal synthesis. The strontium in the hexaferrite leached from the structure during the hydrothermal treatment, producing uniform, submicron hexagonal plate-like hematite particles. The residual Sr to Fe ratio in the hematite particles was about 1 at%, which is lower than that of previously synthesized submicron plate-like hematite with inorganic ions as structure-directing agents. The plate-like hematite particles maintained their shape even after the hydrogen reduction, producing plate-like α-Fe particles having a saturation magnetization of 197 emu/g and a coercivity of 162 Oe.

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