Synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and formation of nanowire by electrophoretic deposition

Abstract Template-growth of Fe3O4 nanowires via electrophoretic deposition (EPD) was investigated. The solution for EPD was aqueous solution with uniformed dispersed Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Black-colored and single spinel phase of Fe3O4 nanoparticles were easily obtained by hydrothermal method using ferric chloride and ferrous chloride as starting materials. Single spinel phase only form when all precursors were dissolved in a basic solution ( pH > 9 ) . Ratio of iron (II) to iron (III) is important for the formation of Fe3O4 single spinel phase. The diameter of Fe3O4 nanoparticles obtained is around 20–30 nm. Fe3O4 nanowires with length more than 20 μ m and diameter around 130–150 nm are successfully synthesized. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image, transmission electron microscope (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were employed to characterize the products.