Synthesis and characterization of magnetite nanoparticles by a simple solvothermal method

Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via a simple solvothermal process and characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and physical property measurement system (PPMS). It was found that the diameters of as-synthesized Fe3O4 nanoparticles became larger as the reaction temperature increased, and the magnetic properties of these nanoparticles could change from ferrimagnetic to superparamagnetic with the decrease in particle size. A possible mechanism for the formation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles has also been proposed.