Synthesis of self-assembled prismatic iron oxide nanoparticles by a novel thermal decomposition route

Abstract

Magnetic nanostructured materials with novel morphologies are often required for interesting applications. In the present study, iron oxide nanoparticles with prismatic hexagonal morphology were synthesized using a novel low temperature thermal decomposition approach. The thermal decomposition of [Fe(CON₂H₄)₆](NO₃)₃ in diphenyl ether at about 200 °C for 70 min leads to the formation of prismatic iron oxide nanoparticles. The prismatic particles were found to be made up of self-assembled iron oxide nanoparticles. The iron oxide nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, field emission-scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and magnetic measurements. The mechanism of formation of prismatic iron oxide nanoparticles has also been investigated.