Stabilization of spinel structure during combustion synthesis of iron nanooxides

Iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by direct metal combustion in the oxygen-containing environment. A pure Fe powder as well as its mixtures with powders of some other metals (Mg, Co, Zn) were burnt in oxygen-containing environment. The synthesized oxide nanoparticles were examined with transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, atomic adsorption spectroscopy, and magnetization measurements. The results of the study of the nanoparticle properties showed that the doping of the other metal to the Fe fuel led to the spinel phase stabilization. The synthesized non-agglomerated ferrimagnetic nanoparticles possess the extremely high magnetization, which makes them attractive for ferrofluid applications.