Fabrication and magnetic properties of Fe3O4 octahedra

Fe3O4 octahedral structures have been synthesized by a simple hydrothermal process. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectra, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy have been used to investigate the Fe3O4 octahedra. The evolution of these octahedra was examined by FESEM and the mechanism was briefly discussed. The influence of glycine on the morphology development was experimentally investigated and the results show that glycine molecules have a significant effect on the formation of Fe3O4 octahedra. Magnetic properties of Fe3O4 octahedra have been detected by a vibrating sample magnetometer at room temperature, showing a relatively low saturation magnetization of 46 emu/g.