Synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles by decomposition of iron-oleate: influence of the heating rate on the particle size

Abstract Nanoparticles from transition metal oxides can be synthesized in various ways. A common synthesis route uses metal-oleate complex precursors that thermally decomposed, leading to crystalline metal-oxide nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. The morphology of such way is strongly influenced by the parameters. In this study, influence heating profile during decomposition iron oleate precursor on resulting oxide presence surfactants was investigated. As oleic acid and sodium were utilized for nanoparticle allowing additionally shape control. Most prepared reveal characteristic core–shell structure. dominant structure cubic spinel maghemite (γ-(Fe 3+ ) 2 O 3 or magnetite (Fe 2+ 4 ), while core region nanoparticles, wustite O) present. rate applied systematically varied 1 30 °C/min, all other parameters kept constant. strong increase particle (> 20 nm) observed low rates, which could explained qualitatively frame LaMer model allows fine-tuning control size.