Synthesis of γ-Ferric Oxide by Sol-Gel Technique

Abstract

There are several well established methods available to produce γ-ferric oxide. The industrial practice consists of a “three step process”, involving (i) precipitation of goethite to produce haematite, (ii) reduction of haematite to magnetite and (iii) controlled oxidation of magnetite to γ-ferric oxide. The proposed work describes the sythesis of γ-ferric oxide, using iron (II) acetate by sol-gel route. It involves a single step calcination to get γ-ferric oxide with improved magnetic properties. Similarly, 1% cobalt-substituted γ-ferric oxide has also been prepared. XRD pattern and morphology using SEM are recorded. The synthesis offers a simple and cheap method to prepare γ-ferric oxide.