New route for preparation and characterization of magnetite nanoparticles

We report here the synthesis of naked magnetic nanoparticles by using a facile method. Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by mixing and stirring two equivalents of iron(II) chloride tetrahydrate with three equivalents of iron(III) chloride hexahydrate at room temperature. The mixture was treated by adding 100ml of 28% ammonium hydroxide. Immediately, the color of the solution turned from orange to black. The magnetite nanoparticles that precipitated were washed three times with 5% NH4OH solution using the magnetic decantation method. 2Fe(II)+3Fe(III)→NH4OHpH=9Fe3O4↓