Fabrication of magnetic hematite flowers via ethylene glycol-assisted method

Uniform hierarchical hematite (α-Fe2O3) microflowers have been successfully synthesized through ethylene glycol-assisted method without using any soft or hard templates. The composition and morphology of the obtained samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The morphology and structure of such novel products strongly depended on the urea content and reaction time. The results showed that the products are flower-like structure composed of numerous thin nanopetals, whose thickness is estimated to be 90 nm. Additionally, the hysteresis loops of the magnetic microspheres are measured by a vibrating sample magnetometer, the ferromagnetic signature emerged with the saturated magnetization of 0.67 emu/g, and the coercive force of 127 Oe.

Graphical AbstractUniform hierarchical hematite (α-Fe2O3) microflowers have been successfully synthesized through ethylene glycol-assisted method without using any soft or hard template. And such microflowers are composed of numerous thin nanopetals with a thickness of about 90 nm.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Uniform hierarchical hematite microflowers have been successfully prepared. ► Without using any soft or hard template. ► The hematites were made by nanopetals with a thickness of about 90 nm. ► Saturated magnetization of about 0.67 emu/g and the coercive force are 127 Oe.