Preparation, structure, and magnetic properties of mesoporous magnetite hollow spheres

Preparation of mesoporous Fe3O4 (magnetite) hollow spheres has been reported using hydrothermal synthesis and calcinations. The carboxyl-functionalized PS spheres were used as the templates coated by Fe3O4 particles and ethylene glycol (EG) as an organic structure directing agent. PS and EG were removed by calcinations method. The surface area after calcination at 500 degreesC is found to be 74 m(2) g(-1). The hollow spheres exhibited the weak ferromagnetism. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.