Synthesis of α-Fe Nanoparticles by Solventless Thermal Decomposition

A new preparation for highly crystalline and monodisperse Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle is reported. This synthesis requires the use of rather complicated procedures including delicate control of surfactants ratios and inert reaction conditions due to the toxic and unstable nature of the precursors none the less because thermal decomposition methods were tried to synthesize monodispersed inorganic nanocrystallites until very recently. The synthesis of Fe 3 O 4 nanocrystallites by using Fe +2 -oleate 2 complex was studied. The Fe +2 -oleate 2 complex was prepared from the reaction of iron chloride and sodium oleate in water. The thermal decomposition of the complex at the reduced pressure (0.3 torr) and about 300° was done without any solvent. We demonstrated that a new solventless synthesis of size- and shape-monodisperse Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles depends on the amount of Na-oleate. And it is possible to remove the oleate ligand using reduction process. We confirmed that the nanoparticles changed from Fe 3 O 4 to α -Fe phase obtained higher magnetic properties and crystallites by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and x-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Removal of the organic surfactant and other volatile components surrounding Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles was detected by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).