Facile synthesis and characterisation of hexagonal magnetite nanoplates

Abstract

Hexagonal magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoplates were synthesised using a facile hydrothermal route, where ß-cyclodextrin and urea were used as a reducing agent and a modifier, respectively. It was found that the obtained hexagonal Fe3O4 nanoplates had an average diameter of about 400 nm and thickness in the range of 40–80 nm. The effects of the concentration of urea and pH value on the formation of Fe3O4 nanoplates are discussed. A possible formation mechanism for the hexagonal Fe3O4 nanoplates is proposed. Magnetic studies revealed that the hexagonal Fe3O4 nanoplates exhibited a relatively high saturation magnetisation of 78.93 emu/g and a coercivity of less than 200 Oe at room temperature, which indicates that the as-prepared Fe3O4 nanoplates are ferromagnetic.