Effect of Agitation Methods on Characteristics of Iron Ferrite Nanoparticles Synthesized by Co-Precipitation Process

Abstract

To assess the result of the stirring process on the Fe3O4 nanoparticles' properties, two types of stirrings (mechanical and magnetic) were compared. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were generated by chemical precipitation. Oleic acid covered the nanoparticles as a surfactant performer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to investigate the fine grains sample, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were used for observing the nanoparticles’ geometry. The vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) was also used to examine the magnetic characteristic of the nanoparticles. Chemical bonds were determined by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). As a result, the hysteresis loop characterized the magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetite nanoparticles are regarded as a soft magnetic material due to their low coercivity. XRD diagrams show the presence of powerful peaks in the orientations of crystal surfaces of the spinel form of the nanoparticles. The result showed that nanoparticles were nearly spherical. The average dimensions of the nanoparticles were estimated by Scherrer approximation. The mean particle dimensions were 11 nm (chemical mixer) and 13 nm (magnet mixer). SEM images verified the spherical shape of the nanoparticles, and FTIR confirmed the constitution of Fe-O bonds and validated the spinel ferrites configuration.