Polyol-Mediated Synthesis, Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Hierarchical Sphere, Rod, and Polyhedral α-Fe2O3 Oxide Particles

In this research, the synthesis of hierarchical sphere, rod, and polyhedral alpha-Fe2O3 particles by a modified polyol method is presented. Hybrid micro/ nanoscale alpha-Fe2O3 particles with grain and grain boundary textures were found as a result of the heat treatment added to the synthesis process. The magnetic properties of the particles are investigated to assess their use in practical applications in the fields of energy, environment, and biology. The heat-treatment step at high temperature was found to strengthen the durability and stability of the Fe-oxide micro/nanoscale particles, enabling the final formation of the Fe-oxide grain and grain boundary structure on their surface and inside the particles. The mechanism behind the formation mainly focused on the ideas of atomic deformation at the micro/nanoscale and particle deformation at microscale. Finally, the hierarchical hybrid micro/nanoscale structures were identified as the challenges and opportunities for research on the micro/nanoscale Fe alloys and oxides particles with grain and grain boundary textures. The large Fe oxide particles with M (S) about 2.9 emu/g, and the advantages of high durability, stability, and the good ferromagnetic properties can be promising potential candidates for energy materials in the easy reuse due to their relative large sizes in a range of 10 mu m.