Fe3O4 nanoparticles: Microwave-assisted Synthesis and Mechanism

The chemical mechanism for the microwave-assisted formation of Fe3O4 was clarified in present work. Microwave irradiation supplied sufficient energy for the formation of Fe3O4 because of its uneven distribution within the raw materials, as determined via the comparative heating experiment and numerical analysis (finite element method). Quantitative analysis and oil (dimethyl silicone fluid) bath comparative experiment revealed that H2O supplied an appropriate reaction environment. The Fe/Fe2O3 stoichiometric ratio in the synthetic reaction was 1:4, as determined via quantitative analysis and in accordance with the electronic conservation theory. Therefore, the mechanism for the microwave-assisted formation of Fe3O4 is Fe + 4Fe(2)O(3) -> 3Fe(3)O(4). (C) 2011 Elsevier RV. All rights reserved.