Phase evolution in Fe2O3/MgO nanocomposite prepared via a simple precipitation method

Nanocomposite of MgO/Fe2O3 was prepared via a simple precipitation route by which a dispersed system containing nano-MgO flakes and nano-Fe2O3 particles was obtained. It seems that modification of the surface of nano-Fe2O3 by controlling pH and the flaky habit of MgO grown from Mg(OH)2 were the main criteria for high dispersion yield in the as-received nanocomposite system. Formation of magnesioferrite spinel in consequence of a solid state reaction at significantly low temperature of 600 °C was revealed through phase evolution studies carried out by XRD and DSC analyses. The reaction studied at the interface of MgO–Fe2O3 nanoparticles by STEM proved the formation of MgFe2O4 spinel via a counter-diffusion process.