Hydrothermal synthesis of rod shaped iron oxide nanoparticles

Synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles showing anisotropic structures remains at the forefront due to its wide range of applications such as magnetic recording, catalysis, biomedical applications etc. Morphology of the nanoparticles also contribute notably thus modulating their electronic properties. Here, we have reported the hydrothermal synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles, where iron chloride hexahydrate precursor reacts with reducing agent hydrazine hydrate in presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone surfactant at basic pH thus resulting in formation of rod shaped iron oxide nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were characterized using Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microsopy, X-Ray Diffarction and Attenuated Transmission Reflectance-Infrared Spectroscopy. XRD reveals that, it is the mixture of γ-Fe₂O₃ maghemite and Fe₃O₄ magnetite. The length of the iron oxide nanoparticles ranges from 138 nm to 250 nm, whereas width is in the range 38 nm to 50 nm, thus aspect ratio is in the range 3.63 nm to 5.00 nm. Low cost and high yield are some of the striking features of this method.