Synthesis of Single‐Phase α‐Fe ₂ O ₃ Nanopowders by Using A Novel Low Temperature Chemical Synthesis Route

Abstract

A simple aqueous solution‐based chemical methodology has been developed for the preparation of single‐phase α‐Fe 2 O 3 nanopowder with average particle size ∼30 nm. Precursor powder was synthesized by reacting aqueous solutions of ferric nitrate with EDTA and then evaporating the resulting solution to dryness. The precursor was then calcined in air for 2.30 h at different temperatures ranging from 250° to 450°C. The synthesized powders were characterized by using thermogravimetric analysis‐differential scanning calorimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurement, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. DC electrical resistivity was measured by using the two‐probe method. Presence of pure α‐Fe 2 O 3 nanophase was observed in precursor powder itself, which is the important feature of this method. The synthetic route described here provides a simple but cost‐effective method to produce single phase, α‐Fe 2 O 3 nanopowders at a comparatively low temperature.