Synthesis of ultrafine Fe3O4 powder by glycothermal process

Abstract

Magnetite, Fe3O4, powder was prepared under glycothermal conditions by precipitation from metal nitrates with aqueous ammonium hydroxide. Fine powders were obtained in the temperature range 190 to 270 degrees. The powders were characterized by SEM, BET and XRD. Properties of the Fe3O4 powder were studied as a function of reaction temperature. The average particle size and specific surface areas of the synthesized Fe3O4 powder increased and decreased, respectively, with increasing reaction temperature. After glycothermal treatment at 230 degrees for 8 h, the average particle size of the Fe3O4 powder was about 70 nm and the particle size distribution was narrow. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.