Synthesis and Characterization of Fe_2O_3 and FeOOH Nanostructures Prepared by Ethylene Glycol Assisted Hydrothermal Process

Herein, Fe2O3 nanostructures were prepared by the ethylene glycol (EG) assisted hydrothermal process. The effects of the molar ratio of Fe3+ and OH-, the amount of EG, the concentration and subsequent annealing on the morphology and composition were investigated. Moreover, the effects of Fe2O3 nanostructures with different morphology and size on the magnetic properties were also investigated. The results indicate that only hexagonalα-Fe2O3 nanoparticles can be obtained when the molar ratio of Fe3+ and OH- is less than 1:4 with or without the addition of EG; when the Fe3+ and OH- is more than 1:4, the orthorhombic airplane-like FeOOH nanostructures can be achieved with the assistance of EG; while the Fe3+ and OH- is more than 1:4, the orthorhombic FeOOH nanorods can be achieved without the assistance of EG. The airplane-like FeOOH nanostructures and FeOOH nanorods are transformed into the porous airplane-like Fe2O3 nanostructures and Fe2O3 nanorods. With the increase of the concentration, only the size of the nanostructure is enlarged and the morphology of the nanostructure is unchanged. The different size and morphology have great influence on the magnetic properties of the Fe2O3