Fabrication of shape controlled Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanostructure

Shape-controlled Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanostructure has been successfully prepared using polyethylene glycol as template in a water system at room temperature. Different morphologies of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanostructures, including spherical, cubic, rod-like, and dendritic nanostructure, were obtained by carefully controlling the concentration of the Fe{sup 3+}, Fe{sup 2+}, and the molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol. Transmission Electron Microscope images, X-ray powder diffraction patterns and magnetic properties were used to characterize the final product. This easy procedure for Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanostructure fabrication offers the possibility of a generalized approach to the production of single and complex nanocrystalline oxide with tunable morphology.