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Octyltrimethylammonium bromide-assisted synthesis of maghemite powder by thermal decomposition of ferric nitrate and its properties

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Abstract

Maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) powder was prepared by one-step thermal decomposition of ferric nitrate (Fe(NO3)3⋅9H2O) with the aid of octyltrimethylammonium bromide (OTAB). The effect of OTAB on the formation of γ-Fe2O3, structural properties and magnetic properties of the γ-Fe2O3 powder has been studied by X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, magnetic measurements and nitrogen adsorption–desorption. It is found that OTAB has a great influence on the thermal decomposition products of Fe(NO3)3⋅9H2O. With no OTAB addition, the thermal decomposition of Fe(NO3)3⋅9H2O produces only hematite (α-Fe2O3). In contrast, when OTAB is added to Fe(NO3)3⋅9H2O, a pure γ-Fe2O3 is formed, and its crystallite size can be controlled from 7.4 to 27.8 nm by varying the calcination temperature. Magnetic properties of γ-Fe2O3 powder are found to be strongly dependent on the calcination temperature. The saturation magnetization of γ-Fe2O3 powder increases from 28.6 to 67.5 emu g−1, when the calcination temperature increases from 160 to 200 °C. The sample obtained at 200 °C is nearly flake-like in shape and possesses a mesoporous structure with a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of 121.3 m2 g−1.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 21267016), and Program for Inner Mongolia Excellence Specialist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry and Environment Science College, Inner Mongolia Normal University, and Key Laboratory of Physics and Chemistry of Functional Materials, Inner Mongolia, 81 Zhaowudalu, Huhhot, 010022, China

    L. H. Zhou, B. Zhang, S. Zhao & S. Asuha

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  1. L. H. Zhou
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  2. B. Zhang
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  4. S. Asuha
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Correspondence to S. Asuha.

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Zhou, L.H., Zhang, B., Zhao, S. et al. Octyltrimethylammonium bromide-assisted synthesis of maghemite powder by thermal decomposition of ferric nitrate and its properties. J Therm Anal Calorim 146, 2403–2410 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-021-10556-1

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