Low temperature synthesis of single-phase α-Fe2O3 nano-powders by using simple but novel chemical methods

Two simple chemical methodologies have been described for the preparation of single-phase α-Fe2O3 nano powder with particle size ∼ 20–30 nm. Precursor powders were synthesized by reacting aqueous solutions of ferric nitrate and PVA and sucrose (method 1) and EDTA (method 2) and then evaporating the resulting solutions to dryness. The precursors were subsequently calcined in air for 2.30 hr at different temperatures ranging from 250 to 450 °C. The synthesized powders were characterised using TG-DSC analysis, X-Ray Diffraction, BET surface area measurement, SEM and TEM. DC electrical resistivity of the synthesized materials was measured by the two-probe method. The synthetic routes described here provide simple but cost-effective methods to produce single phase, α-Fe2O3 nanopowder at a comparatively low temperature.