Template-free synthesis and characterization of snowflake-like α-Fe2O3 microstructures

Single-crystalline alpha -Fe2O3 with a micro-snowflake-like morphology has been synthesized though a hydrothermal reaction in a K3[Fe(CN)6] solution without the assistance of any template or surfactant. The morphology and structure of the synthesized hematite were characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. A possible growth process of alpha -Fe2O3 crystals has been proposed, and NaOH plays a crucial role in the formation of the snowflake-like structure. Additionally, magnetic investigations show that the alpha -Fe2O3 crystals exhibit a weakly ferromagnetic property at room temperature with a coercive force of 134Oe and remnant magnetization of 0.67emu ga degree 1.