Synthesis, structural, morphological, optical and magnetic characterization of iron oxide (α-Fe 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles by precipitation method: Effect of varying the nature of precursor

Abstract α-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles were prepared via a precipitation method using each of three different precursors ((FeCl 3 , 6H 2 O), (Fe (C 5 H 7 O 2 ) 3 ) and (Fe (NO 3 ) 3 , 9H 2 O)). The impact of varying the nature of the precursor on crystalline phase, size and magnetic parameters of α-Fe 2 O 3 was examined. Powder X-ray diffraction pattern disclosed rhombohedral structure. The TEM and SEM results showed that the size of α-Fe 2 O 3 nanocrystals was between 21 and 38 nm. FT-IR confirms the phase purity of prepared compounds. Raman studies showed the phonon modes. The TGA showed three mass losses, whereas DTA resulted in three endothermic peaks. The optical investigation exhibited that samples have an optical gap of 2.1 eV. The products exhibited the attractive magnetic properties with high saturation magnetization, which were examined by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM).