Nanospheres of silica with an epsilon-Fe2O3 single crystal nucleus

A route to produce single crystals of epsilon-Fe(2)O(3) individually wrapped in a silica shell is presented. Formation of epsilon-Fe(2)O(3)/silica nanospheres was achieved by controlled recrystallization of maghemite particles confined in silica shells via calcination in air. Phase transition was monitored by X-ray diffraction, magnetometry, and transmission electron microscopy. Core-shell nanocomposite particles can be dispersed as a colloidal suspension in several polar liquids enlarging the processability spectrum of the material and thus facilitating the use of epsilon-Fe(2)O(3) in technological applications and its integration in devices.