Spherical iron/silica nanocomposites from core-shell particles.

A simple procedure to coat silica spheres with smooth layers of iron compounds is reported. It is based on the forced hydrolysis (60-85 degrees C) of iron(III) acetylacetonate solutions containing the silica cores and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). The role that the iron(III) precursor and SDS play in the formation of uniform coatings is discussed.

Uniform nanosized goethite particles obtained by aerial oxidation in the FeSO4-Na2CO3 system.

Pure goethite particles in the nanometer size range (from approximately 200 to approximately 80 nm) with an elongated shape (axial ratio from approximately 5 to approximately 8) useful as iron precursors for magnetic recording have been prepared by oxidation of the suspensions resulting from the addition of sodium carbonate to Fe(II) sulfate aqueous solutions under a restrictive set of experimental conditions (Fe(II) concentration, carbonate/Fe(II) mole ratio, temperature, and air flow rate). In all cases, the goethite particles were formed by a dissolution-recrystallization mechanism through an intermediate green-rust phase. The particle size was determined by the carbonate/Fe(II) ratio (which controls the formation pH), the FeSO(4) concentration, and the air flow rate.