A facile synthetic pathway of monodisperse Fe3O4 nanocrystals

A facile approach was used for synthesize size-controlled monodisperse magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles. In this method, precursors were obtained only using iron (III) chloride though a simple non-alkoxide sol-gel method. Meanwhile, this operation is without the need for inert gas atmosphere and refluxing conditions and without the strict control of high temperature and pressure. The phase structures, morphologies, particle sizes and magnetic properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron diffraction, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure and vibrating sample magnetometer. Although this approach is a small modification to other methods, the synthetic pathway includes the advantages of several other methods. In addition, this method may offer a feasible strategy for those reaction which need more moderate reaction conditions.