Combustion derived ultrafine gamma-Fe2O3 - Structure, morphology and thermal studies

Abstract

A novel combustion method of employing poly(ethylene glycol) with the precursor in a fixed ratio for the synthesis of ultrafine gamma-Fe2O3 through a self-propagating combustion synthesis is reported. Four different precursors viz. ferrous hydroxide, ferrous oxalate dihydrate, ferric 8-hydroxyquitioline and ferric acetylacetonate are employed in this study for the conversion of these precursors to ultrafine gamma-Fe2O3 particles. The as synthesized gamma-Fe2O3 samples are characterized by XRD, SEM and thermal techniques. A case study for the synthesis Of gamma-Fe2O3 employing ferric acetyl acetonate as precursor is reported. The importance of employing thermal analysis techniques in understanding the combustion synthesis is envisaged.