Synthesis and structural characterization of Fe–O nanonetworks

• Published in: Journal of vacuum science & technology. A, Vacuum, surfaces, and films Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 984 - 988
• Main Authors: Carbajal-Franco, G., Ramana, C. V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Vacuum Society 01.07.2010
• ISSN: 0734-2101; 1520-8559
• DOI: 10.1116/1.3336680

Nanostructures of Fe oxides and hydroxides with varying morphologies have been prepared in aqueous media by precipitation of iron nitrate and ammonium hydroxide. The approach is based on a simple wet-chemical route involving different solutions of Fe-oxide/hydroxide particles in suspension and acetic acid at different concentrations and subject to heat treatment at 373 K. The growth and structural characteristics have been investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM). XRD results indicate that the solids obtained from aqueous stage exhibit goethite [ α -FeO ( OH ) ] with average particle size of 2–3 nm, while the samples with acetic acid addition show hematite ( α -Fe 2 O 3 ) with average size of ∼ 20   nm . HRSEM results confirm the presence of particles of ∼ 100   nm in samples with no acetic acid, while the samples with acetic acid exhibit nanoparticles of ∼ 20   nm . The analysis also indicates the presence of net-shaped structures and particles with high-dense porosity within the nanoregime depending on the concentration of acetic acid. Fe-oxide nanoparticles and networks are stable up to a temperature of 773 K.