Synthesis of hierarchically structured iron oxide in magnetic field and their hydrophobic property

A special 3D morphology of Fe sub(3)O sub(4) flowers was obtained through a magnetic field induced method. The products showed a large contact angle and were used as hydrophobing agents on the iron plate due to their special morphology and good hydrophobic properties. After calcination, the flower-like nanostructures of Fe sub(3)O sub(4) can be transformed into gamma -Fe sub(2)O sub(3). The samples were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, VSM and CAs, and the results show that these special nanoflowers can be potentially suitable to synthesize hydrophobic material to protect against dampness, moisture and rusting of iron. Furthermore, a possible formation mechanism of the flower-like nanoparticles is discussed in detail. In prospect, this method is simple and facile and could synthesize other metal oxides under such experimental conditions.