Generation of Hematite Nanoparticles via Sol-Gel Method

Abstract

Nanocrystalline �-Fe 2O3 (hematite) particles were successfully synthesized by sol-gel method using gelatin as a polymerizing agent. The main advantage of using gelatin is that it provides long-term stability for nanoparticles and by preventing the particles agglomeration. The precursor compound was calcined at a temperature of 600°C. The shape, size and chemical state of the synthesized powders were structurally characterized by TGA, SEM, TEM, powder XRD, FT-IR and UV–Vis spectral techniques. The thermal behavior of precursor compound was studied by using TGA results. Uniform spherical like morphology was confirmed by SEM photomicrographs and TEM result revealed the particle morphology was pseudo spherical in nature and particle sizes was around 30–40 nm. The UV–Visible spectrum was noticed the absorption and also the band gap is around 2.2 eV. The sol-gel synthesized �-Fe 2O3 powder was simple, cost effective and eco-friendly in nature and also can be extended to prepare nanosized particles of other interesting materials.