Formation Mechanism of Maghemite Nanoflowers Synthesized by a Polyol-Mediated Process.

ABSTRACT: Magnetic nanoparticles are being developed as structural and functional materials for use in diverse areas, including biomedical applications. Here, we report the synthesis of maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles with distinct morphologies: single-core and multicore, including hollow spheres and nanoflowers, prepared by the polyol process. We have used sodium acetate to control the nucleation and assembly process to obtain the different particle morphologies. Moreover, from samples obtained at different time steps during the synthesis, we have elucidated the formation mechanism of the nanoflowers: the initial phases of the reaction present a lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) structure, which suffers a fast dehydroxylation, transforming to an intermediate "undescribed" phase, possi

SUBMITTER: Gavilan H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6645291 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature