Preparation of flowerlike magnetic hierarchical mesoporous iron oxide microspheres by solvothermal method without surfactants

Abstract For the first time, we report a novel solvothermal method using glycerol as a solvent for the controlled synthesis of flowerlike magnetic hierarchical mesoporous iron oxide microspheres (HMIMs). Flowerlike HMIMs can be prepared by using ferric citrate and urea at low solvothermal temperatures without adding any surfactants and stabilizers. The microspheres not only have magnetic properties but also have 3 nm and 31 nm mesoporous structures. The specific surface area is as high as 202 m 2 /g.