A new combustion route to γ-Fe2O3 synthesis

A new combustion route for the synthesis of gamma -Fe2O3 is reported by employing purified alpha -Fe2O3 as a precursor in the present investigation. This synthesis which is similar to a self propagation combustion reaction, involves fewer steps, a shorter overall processing time, is a low energy reaction without the need of any explosives, and also the reaction is completed in a single step yielding magnetic iron oxide i.e. gamma -Fe2O3. The as synthesized gamma -Fe2O3 is characterized employing thermal, XRD, SEM, magnetic hysteresis, and density measurements. The effect of ball-milling on magnetic properties is also presented.