Microstructural Assessment of Magnetite Nanoparticles (Fe3O4) Obtained by Chemical Precipitation Under Different Synthesis Conditions

Assessment of microstructure was carried out aiming at comparing the outcome of synthesis parameters on the crystallinity, distribution of particle dimension and magnetic activity of nanosized particles precipitated in aqueous solution. Increasing of the nanoparticles crystallite size by stirring could be evidenced by the results.

Temperature does not significantly affect crystallite size and crystallinity. The type of precursor was the factor that most contributed to the definition of crystallinity and particle size distribution. The route which used FeSO4.7H2O as precursor favored large crystallite sizes and crystallinity, while the route which used Fe2SO4.7H2O and FeCl3.6H2O as precursors resulted in much smaller crystallite sizes and crystallinity.