Large-Scale Synthesis of Uniform and Crystalline Magnetite Nanoparticles Using Reverse Micelles as Nanoreactors under Reflux Conditions

We have synthesized uniform and highly crystalline magnetite nanoparticles from the reaction of iron salts in microemulsion nanoreactors. The particle size can be controlled from 2 nm to 10 nm by varying the relative concentrations of the iron salts, surfactant, and solvent. Transmission electron microscope images of the nanoparticles reveal that they are very uniform in size distribution. Structural characterization using X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray magnetic circular dichroism shows that the nanoparticles are magnetite. The magnetic characterization of the nanoparticles showed that they are superparamagnetic at room temperature. Using a similar synthetic procedure, we have been able to synthesize nanoparticles of several mixed metal ferrites including cobalt ferrite, manganese ferrite, nickel ferrite, and zinc ferrite. Microemulsion nanoreactors are used to synthesize uniform and highly crystalline magnetite nanoparticles from iron salts (see Figure). The diameter of the monodisperse nanoparticles can be controlled from 2 to 10 nm by varying the relative concentrations of iron salts, surfactant, and solvent.