Synthesis, Characterization and Surface Functionalization of Novel Spindle-Like α-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> Nanocrystals

Abstract

We synthesized novel α-Fe2O3 nanocrystals (NFO-1) with single crystalline structure. In our synthetic strategy, the morphology and structure can be controlled simultaneously by the choice of inorganic salt (IS) and organic template (OT) in the extremely low precursor concentration reaction system. The evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) method was used to accelerate the reaction and to recover the synthesized α-Fe2O3 with high yields while preserving its favorable shape and structure. The morphologies and structures of the obtained α-Fe2O3 nanocrystals greatly influence their surface functionalization capability. The chemical interaction between NFO-1 and the surface functionalization agent (dopamine) was obviously enhanced because of its special spindle-like morphology. The synthesis method described in this paper is suitable for the synthesis of other transition metal oxide single nanocrystals as well and we expect that this new route will be useful for the synthesis of novel nanomaterials.