Study of the solvothermal method time variation effects on magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) features

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONPs) possess the unique advantages of both magnetic features and nanomaterials. Using ferric trichloride hexahydrate and sodium acetate as crude materials, polyethylene glycol 1000 (PEG1000) as the surfactant, and ethylene glycol as the dispersion medium, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared by solvothermal method. Furthermore, through scanning electron microscope (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM),X-ray diffractometer (XRD), synchronous thermal analyzer (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), Zeta potentiometer, the structure, morphology and phase composition of MIONPs were characterized. Results evidenced that the particle size of MIONPs was inversely proportional to the specific surface area, and gradually increased until 8 h (ca. 200–300 nm) when superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SIONPs) clusters were obtained. This research has demonstrated a new way of viewing this synthesis procedure upon variation of time and subsequent features of clusters.