Hydrothermal synthesis of monodisperse α-Fe₂O₃ nanocubes

Abstract

Monodisperse α-Fe₂O₃ nanocubes with a mean size of 70 nm have been successfully synthesised by a hydrothermal process using Fe(NO₃)₃ and NaOH as raw materials. The morphology and nanostructure of products were characterised by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that reaction temperature had a remarkable effect on the morphology of the α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles. Furthermore, α-FeOOH was generated as the intermediate during the hydrothermal dehydration reaction and the nanocrystals experienced a complex time-dependent evolution. For the hydrothermal synthesis of α-Fe₂O₃ nanocubes, the optimum temperature and reaction time were 180°C and 6 hours, respectively. In addition, the products obtained rapid purification via a heat treatment at 600°C for 1 hour.

Keywords:

• α-Fe₂O₃
• Nanocubes
• Hydrothermal synthesis
• α-FeOOH
• Nanoparticles