Facile one-pot chemical approach for synthesis of monodisperse chain-like superparamagnetic maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles

Abstract

In this study, we demonstrated a novel and facile chemical approach for synthesis of monodisperse maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles. Compared to the reported works for synthesis of maghemite nanoparticles which require the use of much amount of surfactant and complicated procedures, we could develop here an approach in which we did not use any surfactant or deoxygenated condition and further the synthesis process was also completed in a single reaction. X-ray diffraction analysis of the sample confirms single phase fully crystalline spinel structure. Transmission electron microscopy images reveal that the shape of the synthesized maghemite nanoparticles is a mix of spherical and cube with chain-like patterns and the average particles size is of 25nm. The obtained maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles showed high magnetic moment of 65emu/g with superparamagnetic properties. Owing to the high moment, mono disperse superparamagnetic nature of the sample, the synthesized maghemite nanoparticles are useful for biomedical applications.