A simple synthesis and the magnetic properties of egg white solution-assisted hydrothermally prepared magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles

Abstract We report magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles synthesized by the hydrothermal method in egg white solution. The egg white solution is a good surfactant which can also reduce the phase impurities in the prepared products. The structure and magnetic properties of the synthesized samples were studied as a function of calcination temperatures. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and selected area electron diffraction which indicates the cubic spinel ferrite structure without any other phase impurities in all synthesized Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. The particle sizes ranging from 5 to 50 nm were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The X-ray absorption near edge structure spectra show the Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ mixed oxidation states in all samples. The hysteresis loops at room temperature were detected in the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles suggesting the ferrimagnetic behavior. A positive correlation was found between reaction temperature and saturation magnetization.