Complexing-reagent assisted synthesis of alpha-Fe and gamma-Fe2O3 nanowires under mild conditions

alpha-Fe and gamma-Fe2O3 nanowires were successfully synthesized from FeCl2 solution with 1,10-phenanthroline as complexing reagent via a simple, mild reduction or reduction oxidization process. It was found that there existed some folded ribbon-like nanostructures as well as nanowires in the obtained alpha-Fe and gamma-Fe2O3 products. Magnetic behavior of as-prepared alpha-Fe and gamma-Fe2O3 nanowires was investigated by the temperature dependence of magnetization. The formation mechanism of alpha-Fe and gamma-Fe2O3 nanowires was also proposed.