Fabrication and characterization of Fe3O4 octahedrons via an EDTA-assisted route

Octahedral-like magnetite was fabricated using an ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)-assisted route under mild conditions. The as-prepared powders were characterized in detail by conventional techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). On the basis of these methods, the growth mechanism was discussed. EDTA plays important roles in the formation of the products. This method can be easily controlled and is expected to be applicable for the preparation of other metal oxides with special morphologies. Also, the magnetic properties of the samples were characterized on a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The sample exhibits a high first discharge capacity of 884 mAh/g, which enables it to be used for a lithiumion battery.