Production of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles by a Biosynthesis Method: An Environmentally Friendly Route

Abstract

Production of iron oxide nanoparticles is made by a biosynthesis mechanism. Particularly, the generation of cubic-based clusters of wuestite (Fe0.902O) and magnetite (Fe3O4) is demonstrated with the aid of a microscopy analysis. Transmission electron microscopy characterization of the nanoparticles at controlled pH conditions during the synthesis allows determination of an optimal size distribution around 3.1 nm with a standard deviation of 2.1 nm. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images and electron energy loss spectroscopy were used in order to elucidate the type of structure and associated oxidation state for the Fe atoms.