Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) effects on iron oxide nanoparticle formation

[Display omitted] •We report the preparation of iron oxide powders with PVP as surfactant.•The addition of PVP changes the particle morphology from compact to porous.•Chains of small iron oxide nanocrystals at the surface of the particles are produced.•The addition of PVP also reduces average particle size from 857 nm to 225 nm by preventing agglomeration. The effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on the formation of iron oxide nanoparticles during polyol synthesis are described. The addition of PVP during synthesis changes the particle morphology from compact to porous with chains of small iron oxide nanocrystals at the surface of the particles due to the steric repulsion of PVP ligands. The addition of PVP also reduces average particle size from 857 nm to 225 nm by preventing agglomeration. In addition, the presence of PVP restricts crystal growth of iron oxide and limits oxidation. The high-surface areas achieved for the powders can be useful for catalytic applications.