A solvothermal route to capped nanoparticles of γ-Fe2O3 and CoFe2O4

Abstract

The decomposition of single or multiple transition metal cupferron complexes in organic solvents under solvothermal conditions and in the presence of long chain amines yields the corresponding oxide nanoparticles. The examples presented here are maghemite γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles from an FeIII–cupferron complex and spinel CoFe2O4 nanoparticles starting from CoII–cupferron complex and FeIII–cupferron complex taken in suitable proportions. The nanoparticles are capped with n-octylamine or n-dodecylamine. The presence of amine in the reaction is found to be essential for the formation of the product. The magnetic behavior of pressed pellets of these nanoparticles is presented.