Synthesis and Characterization of Monodisperse Magnetite Hollow Microspheres

Monodisperse hollow magnetite microspheres were successfully synthesized by an one-step process through a tem-plate-free hydrothermal approach employing simultaneously a mixture of FeCl3.6H2O and ferrocene as precursor and a propylene glycol-isopropanol mixture as solvent. The morphologies and properties of the magnetite microspheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), adsorption of nitrogen (BET method) and SQUID magnetometry. The results show that the microspheres consist of a single crystalline phase of magnetite. On the other hand, the size and the internal hollow of the microspheres depend on the temperature of growth and can be tuned by modifying the synthesis conditions.