Facile Microwave Process in Water for the Fabrication of Magnetic Nanorods

Abstract

Magnetic nanorods were successfully prepared in water by a simple and fast method through microwave (MW) assisted reduction using akaganeite β-FeOOH nanorods and hydrazine as precursors and reductor, respectively. Elongated paramagnetic akaganeite precursors are synthesized for the first time using dopamine as green chemical shape-control agent. The nature and the growth mechanism are identified by XRD, Raman spectroscopy and HRTEM analysis. Fast MW reduction process induces a structural and magnetic change depending on MW irradiation cycles. After 2 min, MW reduction leads to iron oxide nanorods with aspect ratio 3.2. XRD and Raman spectroscopy indicate a heterogeneous composition with high proportion of maghemite. The FMR spectrum is characteristic of shape anisotropy and weak ferromagnetic behavior is observed from SQUID measurements.